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Water hickory

Carya aquatica

Also called Bitter Pecan, Sour Hickory

Water hickory
Photo: Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species., Public domain

Water hickory (Carya aquatica) is a large tree of the walnut family native to the southeastern United States, where it grows on clay flats and backwater areas near streams and rivers. It tolerates wet soils but grows best on well-draining ground near waterways.

Family
Juglandaceae (Walnut family)
Grows as
Tree
Light
Full sun
Water
Tolerates and prefers consistently moist ground; in cultivation, keep soil moist, especially when young.
Soil
Tolerates wet clay and flood-prone soils; grows best on well-draining soil near water.
Temperature
Hardy in temperate climates; native to the southeastern US.
How easy
Easy
Safety
Not toxic to cats or dogs (ASPCA).
Native range
C. & SE. U.S.A.
Climate
temperate

About

Carya aquatica, the bitter pecan or water hickory, is a large tree of the Juglandaceae or walnut family. In the Southeastern United States it is a dominant plant species found on clay flats and backwater areas near streams and rivers. The species reproduces aggressively both by seed and sprouts from roots and from stumps of cut trees. Water hickory is a major component of wetland forests now in the southeastern US, because of the selective cutting of more desirable tree species for the lumber industry. It can grow over 30 metres (98 ft) tall. It is considered important in cleansing drainage waters since the plants slow water flow during flooding, allowing sediments to fall out of the water column. This tree species is tolerant of wet soils but grows best on well draining soils near rivers and other waterways.

Other Carya plants

Pignut hickory · Pecan · Shellbark hickory · Nutmeg hickory · Red hickory · Shagbark hickory · Sand hickory · Black hickory · Mockernut hickory · Hickory

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Carya aquatica by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.

Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.

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