Forest Trees of Illinois: How to Know Them

by George D. Fuller; Wilbur R. Mattoon; Robert B. Miller; E. E. Nuuttila

PIGNUT HICKORY Carya glabra Sweet

THE pignut hickory is rare in the northern part of Illinois but occurs plentifully in the rest of the State, growing to a medium sized tree on rich uplands. It has a tapering trunk and a narrow oval head with drooping branches.

PIGNUT HICKORY
Leaf, one-third natural size. Twig, one-half natural size.

The bark is close, ridged and grayish, but occasionally rough and flaky. The twigs are thin, smooth and glossy brown.

The leaves are smooth, 8 to 12 inches long and composed of 5 to 7 leaflets. The individual leaflets are rather small and narrow.

The winter buds are ½ inch long, egg-shaped, polished, and light brown.

The fruit is pear-shaped or rounded, usually with a neck at the base, very thin husks splitting only half way to the base or not at all. The nut is smooth, light brown in color, rather thick-shelled, and has a somewhat astringent edible kernel.