Bitternut Hickory

Description

Bitternut Hickory is a fast-growing deciduous tree that exhibits remarkable adaptability to diverse growing conditions, from wet bottomlands and swamp edges to well-drained upland sites. It grows between 50 to 70 feet tall, occasionally up to 100 feet in optimal conditions, with a trunk diameter of 18 to 24 inches. The crown is typically narrow and oblong when young, becoming more rounded and open with age. It’s distinguished from other hickories primarily by its bright yellow winter buds.  The Bitternut Hickory produces both male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers appear usually in clusters of three, emerging in spring before or with the leaves. The female flowers are small, inconspicuous at the tips of new growth. The trees are wind-pollinated and typically begin producing nuts around 20-25 years of age.