Hickory: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

For other meanings of Hickory please see Hickory (disambiguation).

Hickory is a tree of the genus Carya (which also includes pecan). It is characterized by extremely tough, yet flexible wood, which is valuable for tool handles, bows, etc. The wood is highly prized for woodburning stoves, because of high caloric content. Hickory wood is also a preferred type for smoke curing meats. The nuts of some species are palatable; while others are bitter, and only suitable for animal feed. Shagbark and shellbark hickories are regarded as the finest nut trees.

• Carya alba mockernut hickory
• C. aquatica water hickory
• C. carolinae southern shagbark hickory
• C. ovata shagbark hickory
• C. cordiformis bitternut hickory
• C. floridens scrub hickory
• C. glabra pignut hickory
• C. illinoinensis pecan
• C. laciniosa shellbark hickory
• C. ovalis red hickory
• C. pallida sand hickory
• C. texana black hickory

Shagbark Hickory	Photo ©2003 courtesy Susan Sweeney

Hickory flowers are anemophilous and self incompatible, so two clonal (grafted) trees cannot pollenize each other. Two or more varieties must be planted for pollination. Seedlings (grown from hickory nuts) will usually have sufficient genetic variation.