Home ›
Carya glabra

Carya glabra

pignut hickory
Photo for species Carya glabra
Did you know?: 

Carya glabra leaves and fruits are an important food for many animals. The wood is used for fuel, and a variety of products (broomhandles, skis, wagon wheels, early automobile parts, sporting goods, agricultural implements, tool handles, shuttle blocks, mallets, and mauls).

Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth.
What does this species look like?

Pignut hickory is a deciduous tree growing 50 to 100 feet tall or more. Male and female flowers are separate on the same tree. The tiny inconspicuous male and female flowers are grouped into clusters; many male flowers are grouped into long, yellow-green, caterpillar-like clusters (catkins), and 1-5 green female flowers are grouped on very small spikes. Flowering begins when the plants are mature at about 30 years of age.

Pignut hickory grows in humid climates in xeric to mesic mixed woodlands, mixed forest edges, hillsides and ridges, bottomland forests, wet hummocks, and stable dunes. It grows best on light, well-drained, loamy soils. It is tolerant of shade in its southern distribution.

Why observe this species?

Pignut hickory is a USA-NPN regional plant species. Regional species are ecologically or economically important but are distributed more locally than calibration species. The NPN integrates these observations to understand better plant responses within the different geographic regions of the nation. In addition, this species is an allergen. Observations on its phenology will provide valuable information to benefit people with allergies and the public health community.

Where is this species found?
U.S. States: 
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WV
Distribution map for species Carya glabra
click to enlarge
Special Considerations for Observing

If drought seems to be the cause of leaf color or fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that observation.

Which phenophases should I observe?
Leaves

Do you see...?

Emerging leaves
In at least 3 locations on the plant, an emerging leaf is visible. A leaf is considered "emerging" once the green tip is visible at the end of the leaf bud, but before it has fully unfolded to expose the petiole (leaf stalk) or leaf base. More...

Unfolded leaves
In at least 3 locations on the plant, an unfolded leaf is visible. A leaf is considered "unfolded" when the petiole (leaf stalk) or leaf base is visible. The leaf may need to be bent backwards to see whether the petiole or leaf base is visible. More...

>=75% of full leaf size
For the whole plant, the majority of leaves are unfolded and have elongated to at least three-quarters (75%) of their mature size. Leaf size may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole. At 75% of full leaf size, the canopy appears to be approximately three-quarters (75%) full. More...

>=50% of leaves colored
For the whole plant, at least half (50%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late-season colors. More...

All leaves colored
For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late-season colors, and virtually no green is left in the leaves.

>=50% of leaves fallen
For the whole plant, at least half (50%) of the leaves have fallen. More...

All leaves fallen
For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the leaves have fallen.

Flowers

Do you see...?

Pollen release
In at least 3 locations on the plant, pollen is released from an inflorescence when gently shaken or blown. For Carya glabra, the male flowers from which pollen is released are arranged on catkins. Where catkins are out of reach, pollen release may be estimated by observing the degree of catkin elongation and looseness. Once the initially compact catkins have unfolded and are hanging loosely, pollen will be released.

Full pollen release
For the whole plant, at least half (50%) of the inflorescences release pollen when gently shaken or blown.

Fruits

Do you see...?

Ripe fruits
In at least 3 locations on the plant, a ripe fruit is visible. Check back later in the season for specific information to identify ripe fruits for this species.

For more information
USDA PLANTS profile for pignut hickory (USDA Symbol: CAGL8)
ITIS information for pignut hickory (ITIS TSN: 19231)

Acknowledgments