Fruit.—October. Spherical, 3-6 inches in circumference: husks rather thin, firm, green turning to brown, separating completely into 4 sections: nut variable in size, subglobose, white, usually 4-angled: kernel large, sweet, edible.
Horticultural Value.—Hardy throughout New England; prefers light, well-drained, loamy soil; when well established makes a moderately rapid growth; difficult to transplant, rarely offered in nurseries; collected plants seldom survive; a fine tree for landscape gardening, but its nuts are apt to make trouble in public grounds. Propagated from a seed. A thin-shelled variety is in cultivation.
Plate XXIV.—Carya alba.
| 1. Winter buds. |
| 2. Flowering branch. |
| 3. Sterile flower, front view. |
| 4. Sterile flower, back view. |
| 5. Fertile flower. |
| 6. Fruiting branch. |
Carya tomentosa, Nutt.
Hicoria alba, Britton.
Mockernut. White-heart Hickory. Walnut.
Habitat and Range.—In various soils; woods, dry, rocky ridges, mountain slopes.