
Carya laciniosa
Shellbark hickory · also Kingnut, Big shellbark, Bottom shellbark
Report an issue with this species
Carya laciniosa, also known as shellbark hickory or kingnut, is a slow-growing, long-lived tree with large, sweet, and edible nuts. Its wood is hard, heavy, strong, and flexible, making it suitable for tool handles. It is challenging to transplant due to its long taproot and is susceptible to insect damage.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 790.01%—13 in
- 260.02%23 yr48 in
- 50.00%—12 in
- 10.00%——
- 10.00%—2.0 in
- 10.00%—2.0 in
Traits
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Wildlife value
- High
Trunk diameters across every city: median 15 in, mean 21 in, 90th percentile 57 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Native range
Terrestrial ecoregions where this species is native. Trees in the dataset mostly stand well outside it.
Temperate Broadleaf & Mixed Forests
- Mississippi lowland forests
- New England-Acadian forests
Other Carya in the catalogue
8 of the top 2,000 species are in this genus.