Carya cathayensis

A slow-growing, deciduous tree up to a height of 8m (much more than this in its native China), with a slender, upright habit and large, pinnate green leaves which turn to bright yellow into the autumn. Male plants produce yellow catkins in the spring, whilst females produce insignificant spikes, which are followed by sweet, edible hickory nuts from late summer to autumn. These are used commercially in China as an ingredient in sweets and snacks as well as for extracting cooking oil. It can take up to 18 to 24 years before a speciment starts to produce fruit. Best used as a specimen tree in large parkland settings or as part of a botanical collection. Specimens can be found at the RHS, Kew, Savill Gardens and Westonbirt Arboretum