Carya laciniosa

Shellbark hickory produces the largest of all hickory nuts, hence the nickname “king nut.” They typically have a larger nut meat volume than Shagbark hickories, although they often have thicker shells. An excellent addition to riparian planting, it will tolerate both flooding and drought, and can be planted as a food source for people and wildlife. Features a beautiful “shaggy” bark. Larval host for Banded Hairstreak and Hickory Hairstreak.

Our shellbark selection consists of seedlings of grafted cultivars, the parents of which are known for the traits described below. These cultivars have been selected for their nut production.

• Abundance: Abundance is a hybrid between Shellbark Hickory and Shagbark Hickory. This cultivar was discovered by Fayette Etter in 1947 in Franklin Co., PA.
• Henry: Discovered by Fayette Etter Franklin Co., PA, Henry is a very large Shellbark nut that is well filled and cracks fairly easily. The nuts are mid to late October-ripening. 
• Hoffeditz: Hoffeditz was discovered by Fayette Etter in 1930 in Franklin Co., PA  
• Keystone: Discovered by Fayette Etter in 1955 in Franklin Co., PA along the banks of a creek. Sometime in the late ‘50s or early ‘60s the tree was threatened to be cut down, which prompted Fayette to harvest scion wood so that clones could be made. The following year, the original Keystone tree was destroyed in a flood.
• Stephens: Stephens produces a very large nut, about 2 inches long and almost as wide.

Zone: 5-8 (Map)
Habitat: Wet bottom lands and drier upland sites. Thrives in moist soil with full sun.
Growth: 70 ft tall, 50 ft wide at maturity.

Prohibited: AZ, CA, TX