Carya ovata (F) | shagbark hickory

RHS

Other common names

little shell-bark hickory, shellbark hickory, shell-bark hickory

Synonyms

Carya alba Nutt.

Trees

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A broadly conical, deciduous tree to 20m tall, with ornamental, peeling grey to brown bark. The large leaves usually have five leaflets and turn golden yellow in autumn. Flowers in spring with the male catkins up to 12cm long. Thick-shelled nuts up to 6cm long are edible when ripe

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Juglandaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Carya are vigorous deciduous trees of handsome appearance, the large pinnate leaves colouring well in the autumn; male flowers are in catkins, females are insignificant spikes, followed by nuts, the kernels of some being edible
Name Status: Correct
Horticultural Group

Horticultural Classification Codes

Horticultural Classification Codes are often given to genera which have a large number of species or cultivars. They are used to categorise cultivated plants based on specific, shared characteristics such as shape, colour, size or flowering time, and can be displayed as letters or numbers

For example:
Dahlia ‘Sunset Kate (Sin) = Single flower
Rosa ‘Marigold’ (HT) = Hybrid Tea: This genus produces fruit, but not necessarily edible fruit
Plant Range: E North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep, fertile, humus rich, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in situ as soon as ripe; seedlings rapidly develop a deep tap root and resent transplanting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to crown gall, powdery mildews and leaf spot (see leaf damage on woody plants)