hickories

Hickories are a group of trees and shrubs in the genus Carya, within the walnut family Juglandaceae. They are native chiefly to eastern North America, with a smaller number of species occurring in parts of Asia, including China and India. The genus comprises about 18–20 species, several of which are important for their nuts and their strong timber. Notable North American species include shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa), and pecan (Carya illinoinensis). Chinese hickories include Carya cathayensis and Carya kweichowensis.

Hickories are deciduous trees that typically reach 15–30 meters in height, with stout, often fissured bark. Leaves are pinnate, usually with 5–11 leaflets; leaflets are serrate, and the terminal leaflet is often present. The trees produce small, inconspicuous flowers that are wind-pollinated, followed by nuts enclosed in a thick, woody husk that splits open at maturity to reveal a hard-shelled kernel.

Nuts vary among species in flavor and edibility; pecans, for example, are valued for their sweet kernels. Hickory wood is dense and strong, with high shock resistance, and is used for tool handles, furniture, flooring, and sporting equipment. It is also used to smoke foods, imparting a distinctive flavor. Ecologically, hickories contribute to deciduous forest communities and support diverse wildlife.