Photos and Characteristics of Wetland Plant Species > This Category

Carya cordiformis ~bitternut hickory

All

Category Index

Previous

Next

Characteristics:

• FAC

• Michigan C Value: 5

• bark is not shaggy; is tight and close with interlacing ridges

• young trees have light gray to gray trunk bark with shallow fissures

• trees of intermediate age have trunk bark that is gray, irregular, and shallowly furrowed

• smooth gray bark has interlaced furrows and develops flat topped ridges as it matures

• bark of mature trees can be confued with mature ash, but mature bitternut hickory bark has flat topped ridges (as if ironed).

• mustard/sulfer yellow winter buds

• foliage fragrent when crushed

• leaves are alternate, pinnately compound

• typical of mesic hardwood forests; stream borders

• 5 to 9 ovate lanceolate leaflets

• leaves turn yellow in fall

• sometimes called "bitter pecan"

• native