of New York 



53 



BITTERNUT HICKORY 



Carya cordifotmis, (Wangenheim) X. Koch 



THE BITTERNUT HICKORY, also called Swamp Hickory 

 and Water Hickory, is usually found in moist to wet 

 locations. One usually finds it as a single specimen or in 

 small groups in low and fertile situations in the rich agri- 

 cultural valleys. J" is the most handsome of the native 

 hickories. 



The leaves are alter- 

 nate, compound, 6 to 

 10 inches long with 7 

 to 1 1 leaflets. Leaflets 

 are long, narrow, sharp- 

 pointed, without stalks 

 except the terminal one. 

 They are smaller and 

 slenderer than those of 

 other hickories. 



The flowers are of 

 two kinds. They occur 

 on same tree. The pol- 

 len - bearing occur in 

 drooping tassels, 3 to 4 

 inches long. The nut- 

 producing occur in few-flowered clusters on new growth. 



The fruit is a thin-shelled nut with bitter kernel covered 

 with a thin shelled husk, which splits to middle into 4 valves. 

 Winged projections mark meeting line of husk sections from 

 apex to middle. 



The bark is light gray, rather thin, roughened by shallow 

 furrows, does not scale nor shag off. The twigs are slender, 

 smooth, grayish to orange brown or reddish. The buds are 

 long, flattened, blunt-pointed, covered by 4 yellowish scales. 



The wood is heavy, hard, strong, somewhat brittle. It is 

 inferior to that of other hickories, but used for practically 

 the same purposes. 



The Bitternut Hickory is found from Quebec to Minne- 

 sota, south to Florida and Texas. This tree is found in most 

 sections of New York, except the Adirondacks above 1,500 

 feet and the higher Catskills. Not reported from pine bar- 

 rens of Long Island. It is often found along streams and in 

 swamps. It grows best on rich, moist soil such as is found in 

 the farm woodlot. This tree may attain a height of 100 

 feet and 3 feet in diameter. 



BITTERNUT HICKORY 

 One-fourth natural size. 



