Handbook of Trees of the jS'oetiieen States and Can. 



The Shag-bark Hickory is an important 

 forest tree occasionally attaining or even sur- 

 pussinjr the height of lOd ft., witli straight 

 columnar trunk 2-3 ft. in (iianieter vested in a 

 singular gray bark. This exfoliates in long 

 hard plate-like stri])s, whicl!. hanging long at- 

 taclied at their u])per enils, suggest an ap- 

 pearance of shagginess; hence its name. When 

 growing apart from otlier trees it develops an 

 oblong or ohovoid top witli strong graceful 

 upright branches, pendent lower branches anu 

 clean handsome foliage. It thrives best on low 

 hill-sides and along the banks of streams 

 where it is commonly associated witli the Bass- 

 wood. Maples, -Cottonwood, Oaks, other Hick- 

 ories, etc. 



The wood of this tres is hard, strong and 

 tough, a cubic foot when absolutely dry weigh- 

 ing 52.17 lbs., and is highly valued for tool- 

 handles, agricultural implements, baskets, for 

 fuel, etc.. and it is this tree which yields the 

 common small hickory nuts of commerce.^ 



Leaves 8-20 in. Urn;;, with ratlicr stout petioles 

 and .") (rarely 7) leaflets which are ovate-lance- 

 olate to obovate. rather cuiieate and iinecmal at 

 base, acuminate, serrate, thick and tiini. dark Lcreen 

 above, paler beneath ; bud-scales inibricated. the 

 inner ones accrescent. Floinrs in May : stami- 

 nate 4-5 In. lon^. in glandular-hairy aments ; 

 middle lobe of ca yx narrow and much lunger than 

 the rounded lateral lobes ; stamens 4 ; pistillate in 

 2-,"»-flovvered spik"S, rusty-tomentose. Fruit 1-S 

 together. 1-21/; in. long, subglohose, depressed at 

 apex, with thick husk splitting soon to the base ; 

 nut whitish, compressed, more or less 4-angled, 

 U-l in. long; seed with rich delicious flavor. 



1. Syn. ('(infd alia Nutl. 



2. .\. W.. II. ."C. 



