Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Pignut Hickory or Carya glabra are medium to large deciduous trees. These trees are known for their strong, straight trunks. The dense canopy has a rounded, oval form. Oblong leaves come to a point and have slightly serrated edges. The green foliage turns a bright yellow by fall for a burst of color. The gray bark has deep furrows and offers a coarse texture. Inconspicuous catkin flowers give way to nuts that are green through the summer but turn brown when they mature in the fall. The oblong nuts are edible but have a thick husk and a bitter taste. Pignut Hickory Trees reach 60 to 80 feet tall and 25 to 40 feet wide.
Use the Pignut Hickory as a shade tree on a lawn or to establish a woodland landscape. The flowers support pollinators, while the nuts attract small animals. Pignut Hickory Trees are native to the U.S., and once these trees acclimate, they thrive with little care. These trees are generally pest and disease resistant for a worry-free landscape.
Pignut Hickory Tree Care
Plant Pignut Hickory Trees in full to partial sun. Provide rich, loamy, or sandy soil with an acidic to neutral pH. The ideal soil will be moist but promote drainage. Young trees need water for the first couple of growing seasons, while acclimated trees are drought tolerant.
Prune to shape the trees and remove crossed branches. Time pruning for late winter or early spring to reduce the risk of disease. Pignut Hickory wood is strong, so consider hiring a professional if substantial pruning is needed on a mature tree.
Pignut Hickory Tree Spacing
Select a planting area free from overhead obstructions. Space Pignut Hickory Trees 60 feet away from buildings and roads. Trees can be planted 25 feet from center to center from other trees. The dense canopy creates partial shade, which is ideal for low-light groundcovers.
Pignut Hickory Tree Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 9 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Full Sun (3+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 50-60 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 25-35 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Dry
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Green, Yellow
- Flower Description
- Yellow-green Catkins
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Harvest Time
- September to October
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, 3 Season Interest, Fall Interest, Spring Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Pignut Hickory Tree
- Also Known As
- Hickory
- Botanical Name
- Carya glabra
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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