PRESIDENT AND GENERAL Andrew Jackson's strong, tough and resilient character inspired his troops to affectionately nickname him "Old Hickory" after the tree with the same qualities. There are other hickories, of course, but when we think of hickory most of us think of the shagbark hickory. The only other hickory with which it might be confused is shellbark hickory. The latter has very large nuts and is found growing only on bottomlands. Shagbark most commonly grows in the uplands, but it will grow in bottomlands too.
A key identifying feature of shagbark hickory is its loose, scaly bark which separates into plates up to a foot long. It hangs down from the trunk like loose shingles and can be peeled with the bare hand.
The shagbark hickory nut is 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Surrounding the nut proper is a thick husk of coating from 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. The nut is globe-shaped and slightly longer than broad. The husk separates into four separate pieces. The compound leaves, measuring 8 to 14 inches long, are borne alternate with 5 leaflets. They are elliptical, broadest near the tip and toothed on the edges. The upper surface is dark yellow-green and smooth while the under surface is pale and smooth to finely hairy. The first frost changes leaves to a golden yellow.
Shagbark hickory wood is tough and will withstand and absorb shock. Because of these properties, implement handles, wagon stocks and sporting goods are manufactured from hickory. Second-growth trees are favored for this. Hickory smoked hams and bacon are famous and hickory wood smoke imparts a delightful flavor to many other foods. Barbecuers use green hickory chips on their charcoal fires to add zest to their epicurean masterpieces. The charcoal itself frequently is made from hickory.
This tree is represented all over the state but grows best on deep, moist soils. Other hickories found in various parts of the state include the pecan hickory (C. illinoensis, Wang., Koch.), water hickory (C. aquatica, Mich. f., Nutt.), pignut hickory (C. glabra Var. glabra.), and black hickory (C. texana, Buckl.).
Flavorful kernels or nutmeats are used in candy, cake and cookies. Wild forest animals, particularly squirrels, use this nut as a source of food.Shagbark seldom exceeds 80 feet high or 30 inches in diameter. Another name for it is scalybark hickory.
A key identifying feature of shagbark hickory is its loose, scaly bark which separates into plates up to a foot long. It hangs down from the trunk like loose shingles and can be peeled with the bare hand.
The shagbark hickory nut is 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Surrounding the nut proper is a thick husk of coating from 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. The nut is globe-shaped and slightly longer than broad. The husk separates into four separate pieces. The compound leaves, measuring 8 to 14 inches long, are borne alternate with 5 leaflets. They are elliptical, broadest near the tip and toothed on the edges. The upper surface is dark yellow-green and smooth while the under surface is pale and smooth to finely hairy. The first frost changes leaves to a golden yellow.
Shagbark hickory wood is tough and will withstand and absorb shock. Because of these properties, implement handles, wagon stocks and sporting goods are manufactured from hickory. Second-growth trees are favored for this. Hickory smoked hams and bacon are famous and hickory wood smoke imparts a delightful flavor to many other foods. Barbecuers use green hickory chips on their charcoal fires to add zest to their epicurean masterpieces. The charcoal itself frequently is made from hickory.
This tree is represented all over the state but grows best on deep, moist soils. Other hickories found in various parts of the state include the pecan hickory (C. illinoensis, Wang., Koch.), water hickory (C. aquatica, Mich. f., Nutt.), pignut hickory (C. glabra Var. glabra.), and black hickory (C. texana, Buckl.).
Flavorful kernels or nutmeats are used in candy, cake and cookies. Wild forest animals, particularly squirrels, use this nut as a source of food.Shagbark seldom exceeds 80 feet high or 30 inches in diameter. Another name for it is scalybark hickory.
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