Shagbark Hickory
Carya ovata · Juglandaceae
| Type | tree (canopy layer) |
|---|---|
| Mature size | 30 ft tall × 25 ft wide |
| Sun | FS, PS (full sun to part shade) |
| Water | M (moderate) |
| Deer resistance | medium |
| Drought tolerance | medium |
| Hardiness | 4-8 |
| Maintenance | low |
| Edible | yes |
| Nitrogen fixing | no |
| Bloom | May |
| Harvest | Oct |
| Expected yield | 40 lb/yr |
| Source | CPI 2026 spring list; native nurseries |
Planning price
$45.00 per plant estimated
planning estimate · Shagbark Hickory
No local nursery line found for this plant; planning range only.
Design notes
Native nut tree, very slow growing, superb wildlife value.
Historic uses
Bark decoction used by Cherokee and other nations for burns, coughs and sore mouths.
Scoring
| Ornamental | 7/10 |
|---|---|
| Disease resistance | 8/10 |
| Sweetness of harvest | 7/10 |
| Complexity of care | 7/10 |
| Medicinal value | 5/10 |
Shared plant library
These records are stored once at /home/chris/.gardenway/plant-library.json and
reused by every design and project on this machine, so the same species does not have
to be researched again.
Where this is used
| Draft | Zone | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft 2 - Deer-Proof Berries and Kitchen Herbs | H | 2 | Shagbark hickory for nuts and future canopy - two trees, since a hickory needs a second tree for a nut crop. |
| Draft 3 - Native Woodland Garden | F | 1 | Shagbark hickory for the long-term canopy - one of the two hickories this draft carries, so they cross-pollinate. |
| Draft 3 - Native Woodland Garden | H | 1 | Shagbark hickory. |