Pignut Hickory

Carya glabra

Family
Juglandaceae (joo-glan-DAY-see-ee)
Genus
Carya (KAIR-yuh)
Species
glabra (GLAY-bruh)
Synonym
Carya porcina
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Deciduous
Smooth
Height
over 40 ft. (12 m)
Spacing
over 40 ft. (12 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Bloom Color
Chartreuse (yellow-green)
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Other Details
Category
Trees
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Gaylesville, Alabama

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Winterthur, Delaware

Bartow, Florida

Daytona Beach, Florida

Tunnel Hill, Illinois

Benton, Kentucky

Mandeville, Louisiana

Glouster, Ohio

West Chester, Pennsylvania

North Augusta, South Carolina

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Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
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R
Downingtown, PA | December 2013 | positive

A handsome tree I've seen growing in upland woods. Native from central MI to central FL, from MO & ILL to New England and the Atlantic Co...Read More

M
M
Benton, KY (Zone 7a) | November 2004 | positive

One of the most visible trees along the roadsides in Autumn. The Pignut hickory has an intense color that sets it apart from the rest of ...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | November 2004 | neutral

This tree grows well in fairly rich, well drained to dry soils. It is native from Maine to Florida.

The gray bark, some...Read More

S
Old Town, FL | August 2003 | neutral

The pignut is also called the redheart hickory, and grows throughout the Southeastern USA. The tree is usually about 60 to 80 feet tall,...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | August 2003 | neutral

So named because pigs are often allowed to forage for the bitter nuts as they fall to the ground.

Native Americans leached...Read More

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