Hickory trees are deciduous hardwood trees that are native to North America, and they are known for their strong, hard wood and large edible nuts.
Massachusetts is home to several types of hickory trees, including shagbark, pignut, and bitternut.
In this article, we will explore the different types of hickory trees in Massachusetts and their identifying features.
Key Takeaways:
- Massachusetts oak-hickory forests contain key hickory species like shagbark, pignut, and bitternut.
- The six most common species of hickory trees in North America come from three major groups: shagbark, pignut, and pecan.
- There are two types of hickory trees - shagbark and shellbark.
- Other hickory species present in Massachusetts include mockernut, sand, water, nutmeg, red, southern shagbark, and scrub hickory.
- Shagbark hickory is the most common hickory species in Massachusetts and can be identified by its unique bark that peels away from the trunk in long, vertical strips that curl outward at the ends.
- Pignut hickory is another common hickory species in Massachusetts, and it can be identified by its gray and smooth bark when young, which becomes rough and scaly with age.
- Bitternut hickory is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that is found throughout Massachusetts, but it is not as common as shagbark and pignut hickory.
- The nuts of shagbark hickory are large and sweet, while the nuts of pignut and bitternut hickory are small and bitter.
- Hickory trees are an important part of the hardwood forests of Massachusetts, and they provide food and habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
Shagbark Hickory
Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is the most common hickory species in Massachusetts.
It can be found in both the north-central and north-western parts of the state.
Shagbark hickory is a large deciduous tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall with a spread of 50 feet.
The bark of shagbark hickory is unique and easily identifiable, as it peels away from the trunk in long, vertical strips that curl outward at the ends, giving the tree a shaggy appearance.
The leaves of shagbark hickory are compound, with five to seven leaflets that are 3-6 inches long and 2-4 inches wide.
The nuts of shagbark hickory are large and sweet, and they are a popular food source for wildlife and humans alike.
Pignut Hickory
Pignut hickory (Carya glabra) is another common hickory species in Massachusetts.
It is a medium-sized deciduous tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall with a spread of 30-50 feet.
The bark of pignut hickory is gray and smooth when young, but it becomes rough and scaly with age.
The leaves of pignut hickory are compound, with five to seven leaflets that are 3-6 inches long and 1.5-3 inches wide.
The nuts of pignut hickory are small and bitter, and they are not commonly eaten by humans.
Bitternut Hickory
Bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall with a spread of 30-50 feet.
It is found throughout Massachusetts, but it is not as common as shagbark and pignut hickory.
The bark of bitternut hickory is gray and smooth when young, but it becomes ridged and scaly with age.
The leaves of bitternut hickory are compound, with seven to eleven leaflets that are 3-6 inches long and 1-2 inches wide.
The nuts of bitternut hickory are small and bitter, and they are not commonly eaten by humans.
Other Hickory Species in Massachusetts
In addition to shagbark, pignut, and bitternut hickory, there are several other hickory species present in Massachusetts.
These include:
- Mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa)
- Sand hickory (Carya pallida)
- Water hickory (Carya aquatica)
- Nutmeg hickory (Carya myristiciformis)
- Red hickory (Carya ovalis)
- Southern shagbark hickory (Carya carolinae-septentrionalis)
- Scrub hickory (Carya floridana)
