THE BITTERNUT HICKORY OR SWAMP HICKORY 



IN many respects the Bitternut is the most beautiful tree among the Hickories. It 

 reaches a large size, with a comparatively smooth trunk that tapers very gradually 

 from the bottom, with rather a wide spread of branches and a foliage which is remark- 

 able for the smallness of the leaflets, a fact which gives to the tree in full foliage a more 

 graceful appearance than that of the other Hickories. It is at once distinguished in summer 

 by its pubescent petioles and leaflets which lack the aromatic fragrance that distinguishes 

 the Mockernut. In autumn it may be known by the winged projections on the upper half 

 of the fruit-husk, and in winter by the large orange-yellow buds which have none of the 

 loose blackish outer scales that distinguish the Shagbark Hickory. 



The small leaflets of the Bitternut are commonly ovate lanceolate in shape, and have 

 distinctly serrate margins. The under surface, and sometimes to a slight extent the upper 

 surface also, together with the midribs and the petioles, are hairy. Before falling in autumn 

 the leaves change to a yellowish color. 



In winter the bark of recent shoots is brown and rather smooth except for many 

 slightly raised dots of a lighter color. The buds are of a characteristic orange-yellow color, 

 generally somewhat hairy, those along the sides of the twigs being frequently four-angled, 

 while those at the ends are considerable longer and often slightly curved. In spring the 

 leaves appear, like those of the other Hickories rather late, and as they develop are com- 

 monly of a yellowish or reddish color, being thickly clothed with hairs. The blossoms 

 develop in a manner similar to those of the related species. 



The Bitternut seems by preference to be a lowland tree, although it is often found 

 on uplands as well. It ranges from central New England west to Minnesota and south to 

 Texas and Florida. In many parts of this vast territory it is a very abundant tree, being 

 the commonest species of Hickory found in Iowa and neighboring states. It is often called 

 the Swamp Hickory. 



Another bitter-fruited Hickory is the Bitter Pecan or Water Hickory (Hicoria 

 aquatica) which occurs in swampy regions of the Southern States. It is a slender tree of 

 comparatively little value. The Nutmeg Hickory {Hicoria myristicceformis) is another 

 southern species which is comparatively little known, but which is remarkable for the 

 be-auty of its shining leaves. 



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