Pignut Hickory Tree

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

50 - 60 Feet

Mature Spread

25 - 35 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

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 vibrant 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.

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