Carya cordiformis - Bitternut Hickory

Carya cordiformis (Bitternut Hickory) is a slow growing, deciduous fruit tree with scaly, thin brown bark and leaves that have seven lanceolate leaflets. The tree is native to North America. The male flowers are tiny and formed in dropping clusters of catkins where as the female are small, green flowers in spikes. The ornamental interest of the Hickory Nut is its fall colour, during Autumn the tree is covered in masses of golden yellow leaves. The tree produces fruits which are nuts that are thin shelled and have four winged husks. The nut is edible however it is known to be of a bitter taste. It is a hardy tree, tolerant to drought as well as surviving in temperatures up to -25c. The most appropriate location for the tree is to be in sun to half-shade.

The intended main use of this plant is to grow food for human consumption. We always recommend further research to learn the different ways in which the food source can be prepared and consumed.