Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata
Family: Juglandaceae (Walnut)
Branching: Alternate


When mature, the thick peeling plates of Shagbark and Shellbark Hickories are very distinctive.  Hickory bark as a group looks similar when young.  There are several species but most do not occur in Ontario.  Bitternut and Shagbark are the two most common, and even they are only found in extreme southern Ontario.  Those two can be distinguished quite easily by buds or mature bark.  Hickory leaf scars all look quite similar and resemble many other species, Walnuts in particular.


Shagbark end bud


Lateral bud and leaf scar


Young Shagbark Hickory bark


Middle aged bark as it begins to split and peel


Mature bark


Another view of mature tree (same tree).
Often the trees are much more shaggy than this




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copyright © 2008 Josh Sayers
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