shagbark hickory
Carya ovata
USDA zones4 to 8
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size70 to 80 feet tall50 to 70 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Green , brown
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is a tree for shade gardens, winter interest, and low maintenance landscapes. It is hardy to USDA zone 4, or down to -30°F (-34°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and dry to moist soil of most types. The bark peels in long, tough curls off the straight trunk. Deer usually look elsewhere for a meal. Plant it where you want it to stay, because the large taproot makes it tough to transplant.
Pairs well with Witch hazel, Black gum, Canada mayflower, and Christmas fern.
Native range
AL, AR, CT, DC, and 33 more places. See all 37
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV; ON, and QC.