Carya laciniosa
Owner: Norfolk County
Nominator: Eric Cleland
Height: 29.5 m (96.8 ft)
Diameter: 72.61 cm (28.6 in)
Circumference: 228 cm (89.8 in)
Description
The Shellbark Hickory is a member of the walnut family and is a slow growing, long-lived tree. Its range extends from western New York through southern Michigan to southeast Iowa, south through eastern Kansas and into northern Oklahoma and eastward through Tennessee into Pennsylvania. Occasionally it is found in southern Ontario. It can grow up to a height of 40 m, but usually grows from 25-35 m. It grows best on deep, fertile, moist soils, but can be found on drier, sandy soils as well. Associated forest cover includes American elm, white and green ash, basswood, red maple, oaks and other hickories. It is very shade tolerant, growing slowly under a dense canopy, and often develops a clear bole for over half of its mature height. The nuts are the largest of all the hickories. They are sweet and edible and favoured by many species of wildlife. The Shellbark is very similar in appearance to its more common cousin, the Shagbark hickory, however, its bark usually does not develop the peeling character of the Shagbark, having scaly ridges and moderate furrows instead. As with other hickories, the wood is used in furniture making, tool handles, and for fuelwood. (Source: Silvics of North America)
Shellbark Hickory
(Source: Duke University)