1 Shagbark Hickory Seedling Live Tree Plant - Carya ovata Nut Shade Tree

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) is a majestic native shade tree prized for its distinctive shaggy bark and delicious edible nuts. This seedling offers a rewarding long-term investment for homeowners, wildlife enthusiasts, and native plant gardeners. As it matures, it develops a sturdy trunk and a broad, rounded crown that provides excellent shade. The tree is also valued for its hard, dense wood and its role in supporting local ecosystems.

Shagbark Hickory is a slow-growing but long-lived tree that can become a focal point in large landscapes, parks, or naturalized areas. Its nuts are a food source for squirrels, deer, and other wildlife, and the tree's unique peeling bark adds winter interest. This seedling is ready to be planted in a suitable location where it can grow and thrive for generations.

Plant Features

• Produces edible nuts that are favored by wildlife and humans alike
• Distinctive shaggy bark that peels in long strips as the tree matures
• Provides excellent shade with a broad, oval to rounded crown
• Native to eastern North America and well-adapted to a range of soils
• Long-lived and slow-growing, making it a lasting landscape addition

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Carya ovata
• Plant Type: Deciduous tree
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, moist, loamy soil; tolerates a range of soil types
• Water Requirements: Moderate; water regularly during establishment
• Growth Habit: Upright spreading, with a rounded crown at maturity
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Mature Height: 60-80 feet (18-24 meters)
• Spacing: 30-40 feet apart for specimen planting

Planting & Care

Choose a planting site with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and at the same depth. Place the seedling in the hole, backfill with native soil, and water thoroughly to settle the roots. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from the trunk. Water regularly during the first few years to help the tree establish a deep root system. Once established, Shagbark Hickory is relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant.

Fertilize lightly in early spring if growth appears slow, but avoid over-fertilization. Prune only to remove dead or damaged branches, as the tree has a strong natural form. Protect the young seedling from deer and rodents if necessary. With proper care, this native tree will grow into a beautiful and productive shade tree.

What's Included

One (1) Shagbark Hickory seedling live tree plant (Carya ovata).