SHAGBARK HICKORY

SHAGBARK HICKORY (Carya ovata)

Shagbark hickory occurs locally in southern Maine on moist, but well-drained soil. It has a cylindrical head and a straight, gradually tapering trunk. It reaches a height of 70 feet and a diameter of 2 feet.

The bark is light gray on the trunk and separates into long, loose plates, giving it a shaggy appearance.

The leaves are compound, alternate, 8-14 inches long; the leaflets ordinarily 5 in number, rarely 7, with the 3 terminal ones the largest. Margin of leaflets is serrate.

The fruit has the thick outer husk deeply grooved at the seams. The husk separates along these grooves when ripe.

The fruit is globose and is borne singly or in pairs. The kernel is sweet.

The twigs are hairy or smooth and olive gray to dark red-brown in color. Pith is star-shaped in cross section. Bud scales are hairy.

The wood is very strong, close-grained, heavy, hard, tough and flexible. It was formerly used in the manufacture of agricultural implements, for making carriages and wagons, especially the spokes and rims of the wheels, and for axe and tool handles. Its principal use now is for pallets.