109 



PIGNUT HICKORY. 

 Carya glabra, (Miller) Spach. 



FORM — A falr-slzod trt-e usually f.O (10 ft. in height with a diameter of 2-3 ft., but may reach 

 a hfistit of 00 ft. with a diameter of 3-4 ft. Tninlv slendrr, slljjbtly-taporing. ofttii i.l.-;ui and long. 

 Crown oblong in shape, rather narrow, sometimes high, formed by short, spreading branches, 

 tho lower ones often drooping. 



BARK — Rarely peels off or exfoliates, is close, dark gray, shollowly-flssured, narrowly ridged, 

 tough, i-3 of an inch thick. Resembles the bark of the White Ash. See Fig. S9. 



TWIGS — Rather slender, usually smooth, at first yellowish-green, later reddish-brown, covered 

 with numerous pale longitudinally-elongated k-nticels, roughened by leaf-scars and bud-scale scare; 

 pith angular. 



BUDS — Alternate, more than 2-ranked, rcddlsh-brown to gray, oval, blunt-pointed. Terminal 

 hud 3-5 of an inch long, larger than the laterals. AU buds covered with reddish-brown, smooth, 

 sharp-pointed, somewhat keeled outer scales and pale-silky Inner scales. Outer scales often 

 drop off during winter. 



LEAVES — Alternate, compound, with 0-7 leaflets. 8-12 inches long. Leaflets oblong to obovate- 

 laiiceolnte. sharp-pointed at apex, finely toothed on margin, tapering or oldiquely rounded at 

 base, ibiek. smooth, dark green above, paler below. 



LEAF-SCARS — Alternate, heart-shaped or oblong or inversely triangular or 3-lobed, contain- 

 ing numerous prominent bundle-scars irregularly scattered or arranged In a curved line or in 3 

 clusters. 



FLOWERS — Appear about May whep leaves are about half developed. Staminate and pistillate 

 l!n\M-rs tji-eur st-paralely. Stamlnnte in jimeiits aliout 35 inches long and clustered in 3s on a 

 common stalk. Pistillate In 2-5-Ilowered ^itikcs on the new growth. 



FRUIT — Matuies about October, variable In shape and size, pear-shaped or spherical to oliovoid, 

 1-2 inches long, tapering at the base, reddlsh-browu, sometimes pubescent. LIusk may remain 

 closed or split oi)en from apex towards the middle or occasiouuliy along the entire length. Nut 

 oLilong to oval, with thick bony shell coatairung a kernel which Is at first sweet, later bitter. 



WOOD — Similar to that of the other Hickories of the State, except the Bitter Nut Hickory. 

 See description of wood page lOG. 



DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS—The Pignut or Broom Hictory, also known as the 

 Bitter Nut Hickory, can be distinguished by Its smooth and rather slender twigs which bear 

 small oval reddi.sh-bro\vn buds covered with scales, the outer hair of which is smooth or glandular 

 dotted and often falls utf before spring, thus exposing the inner velvety scales. Its buds are not 

 yellow like those of the Bitter Nut Hicku.-y and smaller than those of the other species of our 

 native Hicicories. The pear-shaped to ovoid fruit, with a thick bony-shelled nut Is characteristic. 

 The bark Is close and does not exfoliate like that of the Shag-bark Hickory. The leaves, with 

 5 7 usually smooth and oblong to oborate-lanceolate leaflets, are distinctive. 



RANGE — Maine and Ontario west to Minnesota and Nebraska, and south to Florida and Texas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA— Common in the southeastern and southwestern parts. 

 Also found locally elsewhere. More common in the mountainous portion of the State than any 

 other Hickory. 



HABITAT — Most common on dry ridges and hillsides. Rarer in swampy situations. Commonly 

 scattered amidst our Oaks and Chestnut. Prefers plenty of sunlight. 



IMPORTANCE OF THE SPECIES— The Pignut Hickory produces a very valuable wood, espe- 

 cially for the farmer. The fruit is not <-dible. It should be grown in the farmer's woodlot and 

 In our larger forests in mistu:-e with othor species. The seedlings are ditficult to transplant 

 on account of their long taproots, which are rather sensitive. In attempting to grow this species, 

 one should pliint the nuts and not the seedlings. The great value of its wood justifies every effort 

 that one can put forth in growing it. 



