Carya tomentosa
Mockernut Hickory

Family:

Juglandaceae (Walnut Family) 10

Genus:

Carya (Hickory Pecan Hican) 7

Plant Type:

Tree 579

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 497

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 807

Foliage:

Green (Dark yellow-green above, densely pubescent and glandular below in summer); Gold (Golden yellow to golden brown in fall)

Fruit:

Brown

Ultimate Height:

50-60 feet

Ultimate Spread:

30-45 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil:

Prefers moist, well-drained soil

Range:

Massachusetts to Ontario and Nebraska, south to Florida and Texas

Diagnostic Characteristics:

The leaves are alternate, oddly pinnately-compound, 6 to 12" long, 7 to 9 leaflets, with the upper pair 5 to 9" long, 3 to 5" wide and the lower pair two third's that size, oblong to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, serrate, dark yellow-green above, densely pubescent and glandular below, fragrant when bruised. The petiole and rachis are tomentose.

Ecological Functions:

Special Characteristics:

Fall Color 214

Food/Edible 78

Indiana Native 154

Additional Information

This tree is found on ridges, dry hills, and slopes but grows best in moist, well-drained soil. The fall color is deep golden yellow to golden brown and persists. Fruit is round to elliptical with a thick husk splitting at the base and contains an edible seed.