Image of Carya ovata
Source: Egorova Svetlana
Carya ovata

Plant Names

image of Deciduous Tree
Carya ovata
Shagbark Hickory
caryer ovale

Plant Characteristics

Bloom Colour: Green Bloom Period: Apr - May
Max Height: 90.0 feet
Max Width: 70.0 feet
Light Condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Landscape Uses:
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Ecological Benefits:
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
drought Tolerant Tolerates drought conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Special Features and Considerations:
GRASP candidate This plant is a GRASP candidate

Seed and plant distribution status

No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Plant Location

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Carya ovata
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

No ecozone information available for this plant.

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Carya ovata

  • Acronicta funeralis
    Funerary Dagger - Acronicta funeralis
  • Actias luna
    Luna Moth - Papillon Lune

Specialized Bees Supported by Carya ovata

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

  • No complementary plants found.

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Rhamnus cathartica (Common Buckthorn)
  • Rhamnus frangula (Glossy Buckthorn)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow 1 inch deep
  • Sow by December
  • Stratification conditions: Soak for 4 days, changing water every day
  • Stratification duration: 120 days

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: June
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Pods are released from plant
  • Harvesting:
    • Nut has been released from tree
  • Seed viability test:
    • Put seed in container filled with water
    • If the seed goes at the bottom of the container, you can donate
    • If seed floats, do not donate
  • Packaging measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed storage:
    • Air Dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp
    • Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

GRASP Candidate

Rare/endangered native plants within 50km radius of Ottawa approximately. Burton is anchor study, plus iNaturalist observations to corroborate if any recent spotting.