How to tell them from other trees and from each other: The hickory trees, though symmetrical, have a rugged appearance and the branches are so sturdy and black as to give a special distinction to this group. The buds are different from the buds of all other trees and sufficiently characteristic to distinguish the various species of the group. The bark is also a distinguishing character.
The walnut and butternut have chambered piths which distinguish them from all other trees and from each other.
Shagbark Hickory (Hicoria ovata)
Distinguishing characters: The yellowish brown buds nearly as large as those of the mockernut hickory, are each provided with two long, dark, outer scales which stand out very conspicuously as shown in [Fig. 67]. The bark in older specimens shags off in rough strips, sometimes more than a foot long, as shown in [Fig. 68]. These two characters will readily distinguish the tree at all seasons of the year.
Fig. 66.—A Shagbark Hickory Tree.
Leaf: The leaf is compound, consisting of 5 or 7 leaflets, the terminal one generally larger.
Form and size: A tall, stately tree—the tallest of the hickories—of rugged form and fine symmetry, see [Fig. 66].
Range: Eastern North America.