106 



SHELL-BARK HICKORY. 

 Carya ovata, (Miller) K. Koch. 



FORM A large tree usually reaching a height of 50-75 ft. with a diameter of 2 ft. but 

 may reach -a height of 120 ft. with a diameter of 3-4 feet. Trunk straight, slender, in dense 

 stands free from branches for the greater part of its length; in open grown trees short, with 

 an oblong-cylindrical high crown. 



BARK On old trunks shaggy, light gray, 2/5-1 inch thick, peeling off in rough strips or 

 plates which are usually loose at both ends and fastened in the middle. On young trunks smooth 

 and light gray. See Fig. 88. 



TWIGS Intermediate in thickness between the Mocker Nut and the Pignut Hickory, usually 

 slightly downy, sometimes smooth anl glossy; reddish-brown to grayish, covered with numerous 

 conspicuous and longitudinally-elongated lenticels; pith angular. 



BUDS Alternate, more than 2-ranked. Terminal bud broadly ovate, blunt-pointed, 2/5-4/5 

 of an inch long, usx^ally covered by about 10 bud-scales. The 3-4 outer scales dark brown, 

 broadly triangular, sharp-pointed, often hairy especially along margin, sometimes smooth, 

 and often with the apex terminating in a long rigid point. Inner scales increase in size in 

 spring, are tardily deciduous, yellowish-green or reddish, densely downy on outer surface and 

 smooth within. 



LEAVES Allernate, compound, with 5-7 leaflets, 8-14 inches long. Leaflets differ in size; 

 basal pair small, relatively short and widest near the base; upper pair obovate and larger than 

 basal pair; terminal large and obovate. Leaflets serrate on margin, acute at apex, tapering 

 or rounded at base, usually smooth but sometimes hairy on lower surface. 



LEAF-SCARS Alternate, more than 2-ranked, large, conspicuous, somewhat raised, heart- 

 shaped or 3-lobed or inversely-triangular or sometimes elliptical, containing numerous con- 

 spicuous bundle-scars which are distributed irregularly or grouped in 3 clusters or arranged In 

 a curved line. 



FLOWERS Appear about May when leaves are almost fully developed. Staminate and pistil- 

 late flowers occur separately. Staminate hairy and arranged in aments which are clustered 

 In 3s and 4-5 inches long. Pistillate rusty-woolly arranged in 2-5 large spikes. 



FRUIT Globular or depressed at apex, 1-2 inches long, with a thick husk which splits into four 

 pieces completely to the base. Nut white, oblong, somewhat flattened, ridged, barely tipped with 

 a point, with thin shell and large sweot kernel. 



WOOD Ring-porous; pores of summer wood rather large, isolated, rather evenly distributed, 

 not in groups or lines; medullary rays rather abundant but inconspicuous; conspicuous lines of 

 wood parenchyma present. Wood very heavy, hard, strong, tough, elastic, close-grained, usually 

 straight-grained, not durable in 'contact with soil. Heartwood light brown or reddish with white 

 sapwood. Weighs from 50 to 52 Ibs. per cubic foot. Used chiefly for handles and light vehicles. 

 Valuable for fuel and smoking meat. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Shell-bark Hickory, also known as Shag-bark 

 Hickory, can be distinguished from the Bitter Nut Hickory by means of its larger many-scaled 

 buds which are not flattened nor yellow, and by its bark which is shaggy, while that of the latter 

 is close and rough. The bark of the Pignut Hickory, is also close and rough. The Pignut Hickory 

 has scaly buds but they are much smaller than those of the Shell-bark Hickory. The fruit of both 

 the Pignut Hickory and Bitter Nut Hickory is smaller and has a thin tardily or non-splitting husk 

 and a small bitter kernel, and their leaves are smoother and their leaflets narrower than those 

 of the Shell-bark Hickories. The Mocker Nut Hickory has stouter twigs, scurfier pubescent foliage, 

 closer and rougher bark, and browner nuts with a small kernel. For distinguishing characteristics 

 between Carya ovata and Carya laciniosa, see page 107. 



RANGE Quebec west to Minnesota and south to Florida and Texas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Most common in the southeastern and southwestern parts 

 of the State. Rare in the mountainous parts, except locally in the valleys. Rather abundant lo- 

 cally east of the Allegheny mountains especially in the fertile valleys and along the rich foothills. 

 Reported rather abundant locally in the northern part. 



HABITAT Prefers rich moist soil and plenty of light. Common in the valley and in moist 

 hillside woods. Also common along streams, and on the border of swamps. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES This is a very important species on account of the valuable 

 wood and nuts which it produces. It is not very common in the State as a whole, but where 

 it does occur it should be protected and regenerated as much as possible. Seeds should be planted 

 rather than seedlings because the latter are sensitive to transplanting on account of their long 

 taproot. 



