Shagbark Hickory

Central Park contains four hickory species, with the shagbark hickory being the most recognizable due to its gray bark that peels off in long strips. It bears nuts that are popular with squirrels and chipmunks. You can find the shagbark hickory between Wollman Rink and Driprock Arch.

  • Leaves

    Alternate, compound, 8-14 inches with 5 (rarely 7) ovate-lanceolate to obovate, sessile or nearly sessile (stalkless) leaflets

  • Fruit

    1.5-2.5 inches in diameter nuts, solitary or paired, brownish-white to pinkish-white, 4-ribbed with a reddish brown to nearly black readily dehiscent husk

  • Flower

    Small, green pistillate catkins that develop into thick-shelled nuts

  • Bark

    Gray, warping in large strips that are loose and curling at both ends, occasionally attracts bats behind the bark

Where to find the Shagbark Hickory

Other plants you might be interested in