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Uses

Toxic parts

None known

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - raw or cooked in pies, cakes etc[1]. Sweet, with a very fine flavour[1], it has the largest seeds of the hickories[2], up to 5cm long[3]. Probably the finest flavoured hickory[4]. The shell is hard and thick[5][4] and the cracking quality is poor compared to C. ovata[1]. The seed ripens in late autumn and, when stored in its shell in a cool place, will keep for at least 6 months[K]. Sap - a sweet flavour[6]. Tapped in spring, it can be boiled down to a syrup or sugar and be used in similar ways to maple syrup[5][1].

Unknown part

Material uses

Wood - close-grained, tough, hard, heavy, elastic, very flexible. It weighs 50 lb. per cubic foot. An excellent wood, it is used for tool handles, baskets, fuel etc[7][8][9][10][11][2].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The inner bark is astringent and detergent[12]. It has been used as a dressing for cuts and has been chewed to treat sore mouths[12].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - requires a period of cold stratification. It is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[13]. Stored seed should be kept moist (but not wet) prior to sowing and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as possible[13]. Where possible, sow 1 or 2 seeds only in each deep pot and thin to the best seedling. If you need to transplant the seedlings, then do this as soon as they are large enough to handle, once more using deep pots to accommodate the tap root. Put the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, preferably in their first summer, and give them some protection from the cold for at least the first winter[78, K]. Seed can also be sown in situ so long as protection is given from mice etc and the seed is given some protection from cold[14] (a plastic bottle with the top and bottom removed and a wire mesh top fitted to keep the mice out is ideal)

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Carya laciniosa. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development[15][9][16][14]. A very ornamental but slow growing tree[15], it is sometimes cultivated for its edible seed, and is also sold in local markets in N. America[10]. There are some named varieties[1] though some of these are likely to be hybrids. 'Fayette' is a thin shelled form[14]. 'Henry' has a very large nut[14]. Trees have been planted on an experimental scale in Germany for their wood[17]. Hybridizes in the wild with C. ovata[2]. Trees take up to 15 years from seed to bear fruit[4]. Plants are strongly tap-rooted and should be planted in their permanent positions as soon as possible[15][16]. Sowing in situ would be the best method so long as the seed could be protected from mice[15][14]. Trees are late coming into leaf (usually late May to June) and lose their leaves early in the autumn (usually in October)[16]. During this time they cast a heavy shade. These factors combine to make the trees eminently suitable for a mixed woodland planting with shrubs and other trees beneath them[16]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[14]. Most species in this genus have quite a wide range of distribution and, in order to find trees more suited to this country, seed from the most appropriate provenances should be sought[16]. Most trees growing in Britain at present tend to only produce good seed after hot summers[16]. Trees are self-fertile but larger crops of better quality seeds are produced if cross-pollination takes place[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Carya laciniosa. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Carya laciniosa.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Carya laciniosa
Genus
Carya
Family
Juglandaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type












    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-01-01)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-01-01)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-01-01)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Rosengarten. jnr. F. The Book of Edible Nuts. Walker & Co. ISBN 0802707699 (1984-01-01)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences (1978-01-01)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold ISBN 0442222009 (1982-01-01)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-01-01)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-01-01)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber (1948-01-01)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-01-01)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-01-01)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-01-01)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-01-01)
    14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.514.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-01-01)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-01-01)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.5 ? The Plantsman. Vol. 9. 1986 - 1987. Royal Horticultural Society (1986-01-01)
    17. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-01-01)
    18. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-11
    19. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-01-01)