Bitternut Hickory Carya cordiformis
Family: Juglandaceae (Walnut)
Branching: Alternate
This is the probably most common hickory in southern Ontairo.
It has very
distinctive buds - naked, yellow, and powdery (beware: they can
sometimes look similar to
Poison Ivy!!!!). Witch-hazel probably has the most
similar-looking buds, but the leaf scars and growth form will help
separate them. When mature Bitternut Hickories are not as
distinctive, but the
bark always looks worn.
Bitternut Hickory end bud.
Closeup of the end bud
Another view of the end bud
Lateral bud. Hickories as a group have very similar leaf scars.
Another view of the lateral bud. There are often two lateral buds above a leaf scar
Young bark
Young bark develops vertical "stripes". This is typical of most young hickories.
Middle-aged bark
Older bark
The shells of Bitternut Hickory nuts are thinner than other hickories.
The one on the right is an actual nut.
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© 2008 Josh Sayers
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