Hickory Trees (Carya spp.)

Natural History

Much like Oaks (Quercus spp.) Hickories are considered a mast producing tree and such are considered keystone species. The fruits they produce which are held within a thin shell and green outer hull are foraged for many species in the forest including squirrels and birds and account for around 10% percentage of the diet of the Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)(4). Trees typically start to fruit around year 20 and will produce fruits until around year 200 (4). The fruits are produced in 1-to-3-year intervals with years in between having a low or no production of fruits (4). In years with little production forage is affected causing cascading effects for the local ecosystem and populations of animals that rely on Hickories.

Hickories have gained adaptations over a long period of time such as hearty bark, large root systems, and the ability to compartmentalize scaring that have enabled them to live in ecosystems that see frequent fires.

Wildfires have been a beneficial part of forest ecology for thousands of years. Many plant species including hickories have adapted to frequent or periodic fires. Seen as destructive by many wildfires actually breathe life into the ecosystems, they are a part of. Benefits of wildfires include nutrient cycling, control of invasive species, providing habitat by controlling understory vegetation, aiding in the seeding and germination of some species, and increasing species diversity. All of these factors lead to an overall healthier forest ecosystem for not only plant species but all species that call forests home (6, 7).

Historical and Indigenous Uses

Colonial uses for the hickories center around woodworking as they are well known for their hardwood properties. Hickories have been used to make hardwood floors, hand tool handles, ladders, and furniture (4). Hickories also make excellent charcoal and wood for smoking and impart some amount of flavor to the food (4). Shagbark Hickories have been foraged for their fruits and are considered by some foragers to be the best tasting of the hickory fruits (4, 11).

There are many indigenous uses of the plentiful hickory species. The main use by many tribes includes harvesting the nuts for food. They were eaten whole, boiled, and ground down to make flour for baking (1, 9, 13) The wood was sought out for its strength and used to make various tools including corn beaters and other cooking utensils, blowgun darts and arrow shafts, bark to makes chairs, snowshoes and much more (2, 3). Various parts of the tree such as bark and leaves were used are remedies for tuberculosis, ringworm, digestion and urinary issues, sore mouth, and many more (10, 12).