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BIG SHELL-BARK HICKORY. 



Carya laciniosa, (Michaux f.) Loudon. 



FORM — In general it is the same as the Shell-bark (Carya ovata) except that it does not attain 

 so large a diameter. When grown in a dense forest its trunk is very long, clean, and slightly 

 tapering. 



BARK — Same as Shell-bark Hickory (Carya ovata) or probably somewhat less shaggy. 



TWIGS — Stout, usually a little velvety or tomentose, buff to nearly orange in color, covered with 

 numerous rather inconspicuous longitudinally-elongated lenticels; pith angular. 



BUDS — Similar to those of the shell-bark (Carya ovata) except that they are a little larger and 

 have less keeled and more hairy outer scales. 



LEAVES — Alternate, compound, with 7-9 leaflets, 10-22 inches long. Leaflets differ in size; basal 

 pair smallest, about i size of the terminal; the upper pair broadest between the middle and the 

 apex. Leaflets sharp-pointed at apex, serrate on margin, tapering or rounded at base, thick, firm, 

 dark green and smooth above, pale green to brownish and hairy below. Leaf-stalks grooved, stout, 

 smooth or hairy, thickened at base, often persist for a long time, 



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

 or 3-lobed or inversely triangular or sometimes elliptical, containing numerous conspicuous bundle- 

 scars which are distributed irregularly, grouped in 3 clusters or arranged in a curved line. 



FLOWERS — Similar to those of Shell-bark Hickory (Carya ovata). See page lOG. 



FRUIT — Ovoid or broadly-oblong, 4-ribbed above the middle, covered with very thick husk 

 which splits readily to the base. Nut dull white or yellowish, thick-walled, usually strongly 

 pointed at both ends, containing a sweet, light brown and deeply lobed kernel. 



WOOD — Similar to that of the Shell-bark (Carya ovata), see page 106. Lumbermen do not and 

 manufacturers cannot distinguish between the wood of the two species. 



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

 Hickory and King Nut, is most closely related to the Shell-bark Hickory (Carya ovata). It can 

 best be distinguished by its dull white or yellowish nuts which are usually strongly pointed at both 

 ends, while those of the latter are white and barely tipped with a point and often rounded or 

 notched at the base. The leaflets of this species number 7-9 to a leaf and are more downy on the 

 lower surface than in Carya ovata which has only 5-7 leaflets to each leaf. For distinguishing char- 

 acteristics between this species and other Hickories see "Distinguishing Characteristics" under 

 Carya ovata, page 106. 



RANGE — Central New York and Pennsylvania west to Iowa and Nebraska and south to Ten- 

 nessee and Arkansas. 



DISTRIBUTION IN PENNSYLVANIA— Common in the southeastern part of the State. Most 

 common east of the Allegheny mountains. Rare in the mountainous region except locally in the 

 fertile valley between the mountains. Locally present in the western part. Probably most com- 

 mon in Northampton, Bucks and Montgomery counties. 



HABITAT — Prefers wet, rich soil. Often found on situations which are temporarily flooded in 

 spring. Frequent in rich bottomlands and on fertile hillsides. 



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. 



