Carya glabra: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox |
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{{Wikify}} |
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| name = Pignut Hickory |
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| image = Pignut-hickory.jpg |
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| image_width = 240px |
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| image_caption = |
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae |
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| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] |
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| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]] |
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| ordo = [[Fagales]] |
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| familia = [[Juglandaceae]] |
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| genus = ''[[Hickory|Carya]]'' |
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| species = '''''C. glabra''''' |
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| binomial = ''Carya glabra'' |
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}} |
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'''Pignut hickory''' (''Carya glabra'') is a common but not abundant species in the oak-hickory forest association in Eastern United States. Other common names are pignut, sweet pignut, coast pignut hickory, smoothbark hickory, swamp hickory, and broom hickory. The pear-shaped nut ripens in September and October and is an important part of the diet of many wild animals. The wood is used for a variety of products, including fuel for home heating. |
'''Pignut hickory''' (''Carya glabra'') is a common but not abundant species in the [[oak]]-[[hickory]] forest association in the Eastern [[United States]]. Other common names are '''pignut''', '''sweet pignut''', '''coast pignut hickory''', '''smoothbark hickory''', '''swamp hickory''', and '''broom hickory'''. The pear-shaped [[Nut (fruit)|nut]] ripens in September and October and is an important part of the diet of many wild animals. The [[wood]] is used for a variety of products, including fuel for home heating. |
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==Habitat== |
==Habitat== |
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[[Image:Pignut-hickory-nut.jpg|thumb|right|Pignut hickory nuts]] |
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===Native Range=== |
===Native Range=== |
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The range of pignut hickory covers nearly all of eastern United States (11). It extends from Massachusetts and the southwest corner of New Hampshire westward through southern Vermont and extreme southern Ontario to central Lower Michigan and Illinois; southward through extreme southeastern Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas to Louisiana and parts of East Texas. The species grows eastward through Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast to Mississippi and Alabama into central Florida. |
The range of pignut hickory covers nearly all of eastern United States (11). It extends from [[Massachusetts]] and the southwest corner of [[New Hampshire]] westward through southern [[Vermont]] and extreme southern [[Ontario]] to central [[Lower Peninsula of Michigan]] and [[Illinois]]; southward through extreme southeastern [[Iowa]], [[Missouri]], and [[Arkansas]] to [[Louisiana]] and parts of East [[Texas]]. The species grows eastward through Louisiana and along the [[Gulf Coast]] to [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]] into central [[Florida]]. |
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Best development of this species is in the lower Ohio River Basin. It is the hickory most commonly found in the Appalachian forests. Pignut makes up much of the hickory harvested in Kentucky, West Virginia, the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee, and the hill country of the Ohio Valley. |
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The best development of this species is in the lower [[Ohio River]] Basin. It is the hickory most commonly found in the [[Appalachian]] forests. Pignut makes up much of the hickory harvested in [[Kentucky]], [[West Virginia]], the [[Cumberland Mountains]] of [[Tennessee]], and the hill country of the [[Ohio Valley]]. |
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===Climate=== |
===Climate=== |
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Pignut hickory grows in a humid climate with an average annual precipitation of 760 to |
Pignut hickory grows in a [[humid]] [[climate]] with an average annual [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] of 760 to 2,030 mm (30 to 80 in) of which 510 to 1,020 mm (20 to 40 in) is [[rain]] during the growing season. Average [[snowfall]] varies from little to none in the South to 2,540 mm (100 in) or more in the mountains of [[West Virginia]], southeastern [[New York]], and southern [[Vermont]] (25). |
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Within the range of pignut hickory, average annual |
Within the range of pignut hickory, [[average annual temperature]]s vary from 7°C (45°F) in the north to 21°C (70°F) in Florida. Average January temperature varies from -4° to 16°C (25° to 60°F) and average July temperature varies from 21° to 27°C (70° to 80°F). Extremes of 46° and -30°C (115° and -22°F) have been recorded within the range. The [[growing season]] varies by [[latitude]] and [[elevation]] from 140 to 300 days. |
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Mean annual relative humidity ranges from 70 to 80 percent with small monthly differences; daytime relative humidity often falls below 50 |
Mean annual [[relative humidity]] ranges from 70 to 80 percent with small monthly differences; daytime relative humidity often falls below 50% while nighttime humidity approaches 100%. |
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Mean annual hours of sunshine range from 2,200 to 3,000. Average January sunshine varies from 100 to 200 hours, and July sunshine from 260 to 340 hours. Mean daily solar radiation ranges from 12.57 to 18.86 million J m± (300 to 450 |
Mean annual [[Insolation|hours of sunshine]] range from 2,200 to 3,000. Average January sunshine varies from 100 to 200 hours, and July sunshine from 260 to 340 hours. Mean daily solar radiation ranges from 12.57 to 18.86 million J m± (300 to 450 [[langley (unit)|langley]]s). In January daily radiation varies from 6.28 to 12.57 million J m± (150 to 300 langleys), and in July from 20.95 to 23.04 million J m± (500 to 550 langleys). |
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According to one classification of climate (20), the range of pignut hickory south of the Ohio River, except for a small area in Florida, is designated as humid, mesothermal. That part of the range lying north of the Ohio River is designated humid, mesothermal. Part of the species range in peninsular Florida is classed as subhumid, mesothermal. |
According to one classification of climate (20), the range of pignut hickory south of the [[Ohio River]], except for a small area in Florida, is designated as humid, [[mesothermal]]. That part of the range lying north of the Ohio River is designated humid, mesothermal. Part of the species range in peninsular Florida is classed as subhumid, mesothermal. [[Mountain]]s in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee are classed as wet, [[microthermal]], and mountains in South Carolina and Georgia are classed as wet, mesothermal. Throughout its range, precipitation is rated adequate during all seasons. |
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===Soils and Topography=== |
===Soils and Topography=== |
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Pignut hickory frequently grows on dry ridgetops and sideslopes throughout its range but it is also common on moist sites, particularly in the mountains and Piedmont. In the Great Smoky Mountains pignut hickory has been observed on dry sandy soils at low elevations. Whittaker (27) placed pignut in a submesic class and charted it as ranging up to 1480 m (4,850 ft)-the hickory with the greatest elevational range in the Great Smoky Mountains. In southwest Virginia, south-facing upper slopes from 975 to 1050 m (3,200 to 3,445 ft) of Beanfield Mountain are dominated by pignut hickory, northern red oak Quercus rubra), and white oak (Q. alba). This site is the most xeric habitat on the mountain because of high insolation, 70 percent slopes, and medium- to coarse-textured soils derived from Clinch sandstone. Mid-elevation slopes from 800 to 975 m (2,625 to 3,200 ft) are dominated by chestnut oak (Q. prinus), northern red oak, and pignut hickory and coincide with three shale formations (12). |
Pignut hickory frequently grows on dry ridgetops and sideslopes throughout its range but it is also common on moist sites, particularly in the mountains and [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]]. In the [[Great Smoky Mountains]] pignut hickory has been observed on dry sandy soils at low elevations. Whittaker (27) placed pignut in a [[submesic]] class and charted it as ranging up to 1480 m (4,850 ft)-the hickory with the greatest elevational range in the Great Smoky Mountains. In southwest Virginia, south-facing upper slopes from 975 to 1050 m (3,200 to 3,445 ft) of [[Beanfield Mountain]] are dominated by pignut hickory, northern red oak ''[[Quercus rubra]]''), and white oak (''[[Quercus alba|Q. alba]]''). This site is the most xeric [[habitat]] on the mountain because of high [[insolation]], 70 percent slopes, and medium- to coarse-textured soils derived from [[Clinch sandstone]]. Mid-elevation slopes from 800 to 975 m (2,625 to 3,200 ft) are dominated by chestnut oak (''[[Quercus prinus|Q. prinus]]''), northern red oak, and pignut hickory and coincide with three [[shale]] formations (12). |
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The range of pignut hickory encompasses 7 orders, 12 suborders, and 22 great groups of |
The range of pignut hickory encompasses 7 [[USDA soil taxonomy|orders]], 12 suborders, and 22 great groups of [[soil]]s (24,25). About two-thirds of the species range is dominated by [[Ultisols]], which are low in bases and have subsurface horizons of [[clay]] accumulation. They are usually moist but are dry during part of the warm season. [[Udults]] is the dominant suborder and [[Hapludults]] and [[Paleudults]] are the dominant great groups. These soils are derived from a variety of parent materials-[[sedimentary]] and [[metamorphic]] rocks, [[glacial till]], and in places varying thickness of [[loess]]-which vary in age from [[Precambrian]] to [[Quaternary]]. |
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A wide range of soil fertility exists as evidenced by soil orders-Alfisols and Mollisols which are medium to high in base saturation to Ultisols which are low in base saturation (24). Pignut hickory responds to increases in soil nitrogen similarly to American beech (Fagus grandifolia), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and |
A wide range of soil fertility exists as evidenced by soil orders-[[Alfisols]] and [[Mollisols]] which are medium to high in base saturation to Ultisols which are low in base saturation (24). Pignut hickory responds to increases in soil nitrogen similarly to American beech (''[[Fagus grandifolia]]''), sugar maple (''[[Acer saccharum]]''), and blackgum (''[[Nyssa sylvatica]]'') (15). These species are rated as intermediate in nitrogen deficiency tolerance and consequently are able to grow with lower levels of nitrogen than are required by "nitrogen- demanding" white ash (''[[Fraxinus americana]]''), yellow-poplar (''[[Liriodendron tulipifera]]''), and American basswood (''[[Tilia americana]]''). Hickories are considered "soil improvers" because their [[Leaf|leaves]] have a relatively high [[calcium]] content. |
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===Associated Forest Cover=== |
===Associated Forest Cover=== |
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Hickories are consistently present in the broad eastern upland climax forest association commonly called oak-hickory, but they are not generally abundant (18). Locally, hickories may make up to 20 to 30 percent of stand basal area, particularly in slope and cove forests below the escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau (23) and in second-growth forests in the Cumberland Mountains, especially on benches (14). It has been hypothesized that hickory will replace chestnut (Castanea dentata) killed by the blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) in the Appalachian Highlands (10,12). On Beanfield Mountain in Giles County, |
Hickories are consistently present in the broad eastern upland [[climax]] forest association commonly called oak-hickory, but they are not generally abundant (18). Locally, hickories may make up to 20 to 30 percent of stand basal area, particularly in slope and cove forests below the [[escarpment]] of the [[Cumberland Plateau]] (23) and in second-growth forests in the [[Cumberland Mountains]], especially on [[Bench (geology)|benches]] (14). It has been hypothesized that hickory will replace chestnut (''[[Castanea dentata]]'') killed by the blight (''[[Cryphonectria parasitica]]'') in the [[Appalachian]] Highlands (10,12). On [[Beanfield Mountain]] in [[Giles County]], [[Virginia]], the former chestnut-oak complex has changed to an oak-hickory association over a period of 50 years. This association is dominated by pignut hickory with an importance value of 41.0 (maximum value = 300), northern red oak (36.0), and chestnut oak (25.0). White oak, red maple (Acer rubrum), and sugar maple are subdominant species. |
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Pignut hickory is an associated species in 20 of the 90 forest cover types listed by the Society of American Foresters for the eastern United States (6): |
Pignut hickory is an associated species in 20 of the 90 forest cover types listed by the [[Society of American Foresters]] for the eastern United States (6): |
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===Northern Forest Region=== |
===Northern Forest Region=== |
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53 White Pine-Chestnut Oak |
53 [[White Pine]]-[[Chestnut Oak]] |
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===Central Forest Region=== |
===Central Forest Region=== |
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40 Post Oak-Blackjack Oak |
40 [[Post Oak]]-[[Blackjack Oak]] <br/> |
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44 Chestnut Oak |
44 [[Chestnut Oak]] <br/> |
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45 Pitch Pine |
45 [[Pitch Pine]] <br/> |
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46 Eastern Redcedar |
46 [[Eastern Redcedar]] <br/> |
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52 White Oak-Black Oak-Northern Red Oak |
52 [[White Oak]]-[[Black Oak]]-[[Northern Red Oak]] <br/> |
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53 White Oak |
53 White Oak <br/> |
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55 Northern Red Oak |
55 Northern Red Oak <br/> |
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57 Yellow-Poplar |
57 [[Yellow-Poplar]] <br/> |
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59 Yellow-Poplar-White Oak-Northern Red Oak |
59 Yellow-Poplar-White Oak-Northern Red Oak <br/> |
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64 Sassafras-Persimmon |
64 [[Sassafras]]-[[Persimmon]] <br/> |
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110 Black Oak |
110 Black Oak |
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===Southern Forest Region=== |
===Southern Forest Region=== |
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75 Shortleaf Pine |
75 [[Shortleaf Pine]] <br/> |
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76 Shortleaf Pine-Oak |
76 Shortleaf Pine-[[Oak]] <br/> |
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78 Virginia Pine-Oak |
78 [[Virginia Pine]]-Oak <br/> |
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79 Virginia Pine |
79 Virginia Pine <br/> |
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80 Loblolly Pine-Shortleaf Pine |
80 [[Loblolly Pine]]-[[Shortleaf Pine]] <br/> |
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81 Loblolly Pine |
81 Loblolly Pine <br/> |
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82 Loblolly Pine-Hardwood |
82 Loblolly Pine-[[Hardwood]] <br/> |
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83 Longleaf Pine-Slash Pine |
83 Longleaf Pine-[[Slash Pine]] |
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Because the range of pignut hickory is so extensive, it is not feasible to list the associated |
Because the range of pignut hickory is so extensive, it is not feasible to list the associated [[tree]]s, [[shrub]]s, [[Herbaceous|herb]]s, and [[grass]]es, which vary according to [[elevation]], topographic conditions, [[edaphic]] features, and geographic locality. |
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==Life History== |
==Life History== |
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===Reproduction and Early Growth=== |
===Reproduction and Early Growth=== |
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Flowering and |
[[Flowering]] and [[Fruit]]ing- Hickories are [[monoecious]] and flower in the spring (3). The [[Stamen|staminate]] [[catkins]] of pignut hickory are 8 to 18 cm (3 to 7 in) long and develop from [[axil]]s of leaves of the previous season or from inner scales of the terminal [[bud]]s at the base of the current growth. The [[pistil]]late flowers appear in [[Spike (botany)|spike]]s about 6 mm (0.25 in) long on [[Peduncle (botany)|peduncle]]s terminating in shoots of the current year. Flowers open from the middle of March in the southeast part of the range to early June in [[New England]]. The catkins usually emerge before the pistillate flowers. |
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The fruit of hickory is pear shaped and enclosed in a thin husk developed from the floral involucre. The fruit ripens in September and October, and |
The [[fruit]] of hickory is [[pear]] shaped and enclosed in a thin husk developed from the floral [[involucre]]. The fruit ripens in September and October, and [[seed]]s are dispersed from September through December. Husks are green until maturity; they turn brown to brownish-black as they ripen. The husks become dry at maturity and [[Dehiscence (botany)|split away]] from the [[Nut (fruit)|nut]] into four valves along sutures. Husks of pignut hickory split only to the middle or slightly beyond and generally cling to the nut, which is unribbed, with a thick shell. |
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===Seed Production and Dissemination=== |
===Seed Production and Dissemination=== |
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Pignut hickory begins to bear seed in quantity in 30 years, with optimum production between 75 and 200 years (16). The maximum age for seed production is about 300 years. Good seed crops occur every year or two with light crops in other years; frost can seriously hinder seed production (22). Usually less than half of the seeds are sound (2,3), but 50 to 75 percent of these will germinate. The hickory shuckworm (Laspeyresia caryana) can seriously reduce germination. Pignut seed, averaging 440/kg (200/lb), is lighter than the seed of other hickory species. The nuts are disseminated mainly by gravity, but the range of seeding is extended by |
Pignut hickory begins to bear [[seed]] in quantity in 30 years, with optimum production between 75 and 200 years (16). The maximum age for seed production is about 300 years. Good seed crops occur every year or two with light crops in other years; [[frost]] can seriously hinder seed production (22). Usually less than half of the seeds are sound (2,3), but 50 to 75 percent of these will germinate. The hickory shuckworm (''Laspeyresia caryana'') can seriously reduce [[germination]]. Pignut seed, averaging 440/kg (200/lb), is lighter than the seed of other hickory species. The nuts are disseminated mainly by gravity, but the range of seeding is extended by [[squirrel]]s and [[chipmunk]]s. |
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===Seedling Development=== |
===Seedling Development=== |
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Hickories exhibit embryo dormancy which is overcome naturally by overwintering in the duff and litter or artificially by stratification in a moist medium at 1° to 4° |
Hickories exhibit embryo dormancy which is overcome naturally by overwintering in the [[duff]] and [[Plant litter|litter]] or artificially by [[stratification (botany)|stratification]] in a moist medium at 1° to 4°C (33° to 40°F) for 30 to 150 days. In forest tree [[Nursery (horticulture)|nurseries]] unstratified hickory nuts are sown in the fall and stratified nuts are sown in the spring. Hickories are [[Hypogeal|hypogeously]] germinating plants, and the nuts seldom remain viable in the forest floor for more than one winter (22). |
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Seedling growth of hickories is slow. The following height growth of pignut hickory seedlings was reported in the Ohio Valley in the open or under light shade, on red clay soil (2): |
Seedling growth of hickories is slow. The following height growth of pignut hickory seedlings was reported in the Ohio Valley in the open or under light shade, on red [[clay]] soil (2): |
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Age Height |
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(yr) (cm) (in) |
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1 8 3.0 |
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2 15 5.8 |
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3 20 8.0 |
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4 30 12.0 |
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5 43 17.0 |
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{| |
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! Age |
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! colspan="2" | Height |
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|- |
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| (yr) || (cm) || (in) |
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|- |
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| 1 || 8 || 3.0 |
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|- |
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| 2 || 15 || 5.8 |
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|- |
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| 3 || 20 || 8.0 |
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|- |
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| 4 || 30 || 12.0 |
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|- |
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| 5 || 43 || 17.0 |
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|} |
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===Vegetative Reproduction=== |
===Vegetative Reproduction=== |
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Hickories sprout readily from |
Hickories sprout readily from [[stump (tree)|stump]]s and [[root]]s. Stump sprouting is not as prolific as in other [[deciduous]] trees species but the sprouts that are produced are vigorous and grow fairly rapidly in height. Root sprouts also are vigorous and probably more numerous than stump sprouts in cut-over areas. Small stumps sprout more frequently than large ones. Sprouts that originate at or below ground level and from small stumps are less likely to develop [[heartwood]] decay. Pignut hickory is difficult to reproduce from [[cutting (plant)|cutting]]s. |
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===Sapling and Pole Stages to Maturity=== |
===Sapling and Pole Stages to Maturity=== |
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Growth and Yield- Pignut hickory often grows 24 to 27 m (80 to 90 ft) tall and occasionally reaches 37 m (120 ft), with d.b.h. of 91 to 122 cm (36 to 48 in). The bole is often forked. Height and diameter by age are shown in table 1 for selected locations. Diameter growth of pignut hickory (along with chestnut oak, white oak, sweet birch (Betula lenta), and American beech is rated slow. Since hickories constitute 15 percent or less of the basal area of oak-hickory forest types, most growth and yield information is written in terms of oak rather than oak-hickory. Yields of mixed oak stands (5,7,19) and of hickory stands (2) have been reported. Tree volume tables are available (2,19). |
Growth and Yield- Pignut hickory often grows 24 to 27 m (80 to 90 ft) tall and occasionally reaches 37 m (120 ft), with [[d.b.h.]] of 91 to 122 cm (36 to 48 in). The [[bole (botany)|bole]] is often forked. Height and diameter by age are shown in table 1 for selected locations. Diameter growth of pignut hickory (along with [[chestnut oak]], [[white oak]], sweet birch (''[[Betula lenta]]''), and [[American beech]] is rated slow. Since hickories constitute 15 percent or less of the basal area of [[oak]]-hickory forest types, most growth and yield information is written in terms of oak rather than oak-hickory. Yields of mixed oak stands (5,7,19) and of hickory stands (2) have been reported. Tree volume tables are available (2,19). |
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{| |
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Table 1- Diameter and height of pignut hickory in selected geographic areas (adapted from 2) Age D.b.h. Height |
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|+ Diameter and height of pignut hickory in selected geographic areas (adapted from 2) |
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S. Indiana and |
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N.Kentucky¹ Ohio |
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!Age |
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Valley¹ Norhtern |
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![[D.b.h.]] |
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Ohio¹ Cumberland |
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! colspan="4" | Height |
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Mountains² Mississippi |
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|- |
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Valley² |
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! |
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(yr) (cm) (m) (m) (m) (m) |
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!S. Indiana and N.Kentucky¹ |
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10 2 2.7 2.1 1.8 1.8 |
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!Ohio Valley¹ |
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20 5 5.8 6.1 4.3 5.8 |
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!Northern Ohio¹ |
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30 8 9.8 10.7 7.3 8.2 |
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!Cumberland Mountains² |
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40 11 12.8 14.6 9.8 10.4 |
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!Mississippi Valley² |
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50 14 15.5 18.6 12.2 12.2 |
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|- |
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60 17 17.7 21.0 14.6 14.0 |
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| (yr) || (cm) || (m) || (m) || (m) || (m) |
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70 21 19.5 22.6 16.8 15.8 |
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|- |
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80 25 21.0 -- 18.9 17.7 |
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| 10 || 2 || 2.7 || 2.1 || 1.8 || 1.8 |
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(yr) (in) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) |
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|- |
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10 1.0 9 7 6 6 |
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20 |
| 20 || 5 || 5.8 || 6.1 || 4.3 || 5.8 |
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|- |
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30 3.2 32 35 24 27 |
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| 30 || 8 || 9.8 ||10.7 || 7.3 || 8.2 |
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40 4.4 42 48 32 34 |
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|- |
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50 5.5 51 61 40 40 |
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| 40 || 11 ||12.8 ||14.6 || 9.8 || 10.4 |
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60 6.8 58 69 48 46 |
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|- |
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70 8.4 64 74 55 52 |
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| 50 || 14 ||15.5 ||18.6 ||12.2 || 12.2 |
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80 10.0 69 -- 62 58 |
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|- |
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| 60 || 17 ||17.7 ||21.0 ||14.6 || 14.0 |
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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|- |
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| 70 || 21 ||19.5 ||22.6 ||16.8 || 15.8 |
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|- |
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| 80 || 25 ||21.0 || -- ||18.9 || 17.7 |
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|- |
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| (yr) || (in) || (ft) || (ft) || (ft) || (ft) |
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|- |
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| 10 || 1.0 || 9 || 7 || 6 || 6 |
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|- |
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| 20 || 2.0 || 19 || 20 || 14 || 19 |
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|- |
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| 30 || 3.2 || 32 || 35 || 24 || 27 |
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|- |
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| 40 || 4.4 || 42 || 48 || 32 || 34 |
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|- |
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| 50 || 5.5 || 51 || 61 || 40 || 40 |
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|- |
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| 60 || 6.8 || 58 || 69 || 48 || 46 |
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|- |
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| 70 || 8.4 || 64 || 74 || 55 || 52 |
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|- |
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| 80 || 10.0 || 69 || -- || 62 || 58 |
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|} |
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---- |
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¹Second growth. |
¹Second growth. |
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²Virgin forest. |
²Virgin forest. |
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===Rooting Habit=== |
===Rooting Habit=== |
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Pignut hickory tends to develop a pronounced taproot with few laterals and is rated as windfirm (21). The taproot develops early, which may explain the slow growth of seedling shoots. Taproots may develop in compact and stony soils. |
Pignut hickory tends to develop a pronounced [[taproot]] with few laterals and is rated as windfirm (21). The taproot develops early, which may explain the slow growth of seedling shoots. Taproots may develop in compact and stony soils. |
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===Reaction to Competition=== |
===Reaction to Competition=== |
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The hickories as a group are classed as intermediate in shade tolerance; however, pignut hickory has been classed as intolerant in the Northeast and tolerant in the Southeast. In much of the area covered by mixed oak forests, shade-tolerant |
The hickories as a group are classed as intermediate in shade tolerance; however, pignut hickory has been classed as intolerant in the Northeast and tolerant in the Southeast. In much of the area covered by mixed oak forests, shade-tolerant [[hardwood]]s (including the hickories) are [[Climax vegetation|climax]], and the trend of [[Ecological succession|succession]] toward this climax is very strong. Although most silvicultural systems when applied to oak types will maintain a hardwood forest, the cutting methods used affects the rapidity with which other species may replace the oaks and hickories (17,18,26). |
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==Damaging Agents== |
==Damaging Agents== |
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Pignut hickory is easily damaged by fire, which causes stem degrade or loss of volume, or both. Internal discolorations called mineral streak are common and are one major reason why so few standing hickories meet trade specifications. Streaks result from yellow-bellied sapsucker pecking, pin |
Pignut hickory is easily damaged by [[Wildfire|fire]], which causes stem degrade or loss of volume, or both. Internal discolorations called mineral streak are common and are one major reason why so few standing hickories meet trade specifications. Streaks result from [[yellow-bellied sapsucker]] pecking, pin [[Wood#Knots|knot]]s, worm holes, and mechanical injuries. Hickories strongly resist ice damage and seldom develop epicormic branches. |
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The Index of Plant Diseases in the United States lists 133 fungi and 10 other causes of diseases on Carya species (4,9). Most of the fungi are |
The Index of Plant Diseases in the United States lists 133 [[fungi]] and 10 other causes of diseases on Carya species (4,9). Most of the fungi are [[saprophyte]]s, but a few are damaging to foliage, produce [[canker]]s, or cause [[trunk]] or [[root]] [[rot]]s. |
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The most common disease of pignut hickory from Pennsylvania southward is a trunk rot caused by Poria spiculosa. Cankers vary in size and appearance depending on their age. A common form develops around a branch wound and resembles a swollen, nearly healed wound. On large trees these may become prominent burl-like bodies having several vertical or irregular folds in the callus covering. A single trunk canker near the base is a sign that the butt log is badly infected, and multiple cankers are evidence that the entire tree may be a cull. |
The most common disease of pignut hickory from Pennsylvania southward is a trunk rot caused by ''Poria spiculosa''. Cankers vary in size and appearance depending on their age. A common form develops around a branch wound and resembles a swollen, nearly healed wound. On large trees these may become prominent [[burl]]-like bodies having several vertical or irregular folds in the callus covering. A single trunk canker near the base is a sign that the butt log is badly infected, and multiple cankers are evidence that the entire tree may be a cull. |
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Major leaf diseases are anthracnose (Gnomonia caryae) and mildew (Microstroma juglandis). The former causes brown spots with definite margins on the undersides of the leaf. These may coalesce and cause widespread blotching. Mildew invades the leaves and twigs and may form witches' brooms by stimulating bud formation. Although locally prevalent, mildew offers no problem in the management of hickory. |
Major leaf diseases are [[anthracnose]] (''Gnomonia caryae'') and [[mildew]] (''Microstroma juglandis''). The former causes brown spots with definite margins on the undersides of the leaf. These may coalesce and cause widespread blotching. Mildew invades the leaves and twigs and may form witches' brooms by stimulating bud formation. Although locally prevalent, mildew offers no problem in the management of hickory. |
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The stem canker (Nectria galligena) produces depressed areas with concentric bark rings that develop on the trunk and branches. Affected trees are sometimes eliminated through breakage or competition and sometimes live to reach merchantable size with cull section at the canker. No special control measures are required, but cankered trees should be harvested in stand improvement operations. |
The stem [[canker]] (''Nectria galligena'') produces depressed areas with concentric [[bark]] rings that develop on the trunk and branches. Affected trees are sometimes eliminated through breakage or competition and sometimes live to reach merchantable size with cull section at the canker. No special control measures are required, but cankered trees should be harvested in stand improvement operations. |
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A gall-forming fungus species of Phomopsis can produce warty excrescences ranging from small twig |
A gall-forming fungus species of ''Phomopsis'' can produce warty excrescences ranging from small twig [[gall]]s to very large trunk [[burl]]s on northern hickories and oaks. Little information is available on root diseases of hickory. |
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More than 100 |
More than 100 [[insect]]s have been reported to infest hickory trees and [[wood]] products, but only a few cause death or severe damage (1). The hickory [[bark beetle]] (''Scolytus quadrispinosus'') is the most important insect enemy of hickory, and also one of the most important insect pests of hardwoods in the Eastern United States. During [[drought]] periods in the Southeast, outbreaks often develop and large tracts of timber are killed. At other times, damage may be confined to the killing of a single tree or to portions of the tops of trees. The foliage of heavily infested trees turns red within a few weeks after attack, and the trees soon die. There is one generation per year in northern areas and normally two broods per year in the South. Control consists of felling infested trees and destroying the bark during winter months or storing infested logs in ponds. |
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Logs and dying trees of several hardwood species including pignut hickory are attacked by the ambrosia beetle (Platypus quadridentatus) throughout the South and north to West Virginia and North Carolina. The false powderpost beetle (Xylobiops basilaris) attacks recently felled or dying trees, logs, or limbs with bark in the Eastern and |
Logs and dying trees of several hardwood species including pignut hickory are attacked by the [[ambrosia beetle]] (''Platypus quadridentatus'') throughout the South and north to West Virginia and North Carolina. The [[Bostrichidae|false powderpost beetle]] (''Xylobiops basilaris'') attacks recently felled or dying trees, logs, or limbs with bark in the Eastern and Southern States. Hickory, persimmon (''[[Diospyros virginiana]]''), and pecan (''[[Carya illinoinensis|C. illinoinensis]]'') are most frequently infested, but other hardwoods also are attacked. Healthy trees growing in proximity to heavily infested trees are occasionally attacked but almost always without success. Hickory and persimmon wood (useful in the manufacture of small products such as [[shuttle block]]s, [[mallet]]s, and [[maul]]s) is sometimes seriously damaged. |
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Hickory is one of several host species of the [[Longhorn beetle|twig girdler]] (''Oncideres cingulata''). Infested trees and seedlings are not only damaged severely but become ragged and unattractive. A few of the more common species of gall-producing insects attacking hickory are ''[[Phylloxera]] caryaecaulis'', ''[[Caryomyia]] holotricha'', ''C. sanguinolenta'', and ''C. tubicola''. |
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Southern States. Hickory, persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), and pecan (C. illinoensis) are most frequently infested, but other hardwoods also are attacked. Healthy trees growing in proximity to heavily infested trees are occasionally attacked but almost always without success. Hickory and persimmon wood (useful in the manufacture of small products such as shuttle blocks, mallets, and mauls) is sometimes seriously damaged. |
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Hickory is one of several host species of the twig girdler (Oncideres cingulata). Infested trees and seedlings are not only damaged severely but become ragged and unattractive. A few of the more common species of gall-producing insects attacking hickory are Phylloxera caryaecaulis, Caryomyia holotricha, C. sanguinolenta, and C. tubicola. |
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==Special Uses== |
==Special Uses== |
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Hickories provide food to many kinds of wildlife (8,13). The nuts are relished by several species of squirrel and represent an estimated 10 to 25 percent of their diet. Nuts and flowers are eaten by the wild turkey and several species of |
Hickories provide food to many kinds of wildlife (8,13). The nuts are relished by several species of [[squirrel]] and represent an estimated 10 to 25 percent of their diet. Nuts and flowers are eaten by the [[wild turkey]] and several species of [[songbird]]s. Nuts and bark are eaten by [[American Black Bear|black bear]]s, [[fox]]es, [[rabbit]]s, and [[raccoon]]s. Small [[mammal]]s eat the nuts and leaves; 5 to 10 percent of the diet of eastern [[chipmunk]]s is hickory nuts. [[White-tailed deer]] occasionally browse hickory leaves, [[twig]]s, and nuts. |
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The kernel of hickory seeds is exceptionally high in crude fat, up to 70 to 80 percent in some species. Crude protein, phosphorus, and calcium contents are generally moderate to low. Crude fiber is very low. |
The kernel of hickory seeds is exceptionally high in crude [[fat]], up to 70 to 80 percent in some species. Crude [[protein]], [[phosphorus]], and [[calcium]] contents are generally moderate to low. Crude [[Dietary fiber|fiber]] is very low. |
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Pignut hickory makes up a small percentage of the biomass in low-quality upland hardwood stands that are prime candidates for |
Pignut hickory makes up a small percentage of the [[biomass]] in low-quality upland hardwood stands that are prime candidates for [[clearcut]]ting for chips or fuelwood as the first step toward rehabilitation to more productive stands. Hickory has a relatively high heating value and is used extensively as a home heating fuel. |
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Pignut hickory is an important shade tree in wooded suburban areas over most of the range but is seldom planted as an ornamental tree. |
Pignut hickory is an important [[shade tree]] in wooded [[suburban]] areas over most of the range but is seldom planted as an [[ornamental tree]]. |
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==Genetics== |
==Genetics== |
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Carya glabra var. megacarpa (Sarg.) Sarg., coast pignut hickory, was once recognized as a distinct variety but is now considered to be a synonym of C. glabra (Mill.) Sweet. C. leiodermis Sarg., swamp hickory, has also been added as a synonym of C. glabra (11). |
''Carya glabra'' var. ''megacarpa'' (Sarg.) Sarg., coast pignut hickory, was once recognized as a distinct variety but is now considered to be a synonym of ''C. glabra'' (Mill.) Sweet. ''C. leiodermis'' Sarg., swamp hickory, has also been added as a synonym of ''C. glabra'' (11). |
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Carya glabra (Mill.) Sweet var. glabra distinguishes the (typical) pignut hickory from red hickory (C. glabra var. odorata (Marsh.) Little). The taxonomic position of red hickory is controversial. The binomial C. ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. was published in 1913 for a segregate of C. glabra. It was reduced to a synonym of C. glabra in Little's 1953 checklist but was elevated to a variety in the 1979 edition (11). The principal difference is in the husk of the fruit, opening late and only partly, or remaining closed in C. glabra but promptly splitting to the base in C. ovalis. However, many trees are intermediate in this trait, and the recorded ranges are almost the same. The leaves of C. ovalis have mostly seven leaflets; those of C. glabra have mostly five leaflets. The two can be distinguished with certainty only in November. Since the two ranges seem to overlap, the distributions have been mapped together as a Carya glabra-ovalis complex (11). |
''Carya glabra'' (Mill.) Sweet var. ''glabra'' distinguishes the (typical) pignut hickory from red hickory (''C. glabra'' var. ''odorata'' (Marsh.) Little). The [[taxonomic]] position of red hickory is controversial. The binomial ''C. ovalis'' (Wangenh.) Sarg. was published in 1913 for a segregate of ''C. glabra''. It was reduced to a [[synonym (taxonomy)|synonym]] of ''C. glabra'' in Little's 1953 checklist but was elevated to a [[Variety (botany)|variety]] in the 1979 edition (11). The principal difference is in the husk of the [[fruit]], opening late and only partly, or remaining closed in ''C. glabra'' but promptly [[Dehiscence (botany)|splitting]] to the base in C. ovalis. However, many trees are intermediate in this trait, and the recorded ranges are almost the same. The leaves of ''C. ovalis'' have mostly seven leaflets; those of ''C. glabra'' have mostly five leaflets. The two can be distinguished with certainty only in November. Since the two ranges seem to overlap, the distributions have been mapped together as a Carya glabra-ovalis complex (11). |
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Carya ovalis has also been treated as an interspecific hybrid between C. glabra and C. ovata. C. ovalis was accepted as a polymorphic species especially variable in the size and shape of its nuts and possibly a hybrid. The relationships may be more complex after a long and reticulate phylogeny, according to detailed chemical analyses of hickory nut oils. |
''Carya ovalis'' has also been treated as an interspecific hybrid between ''C. glabra'' and ''C. ovata''. ''C. ovalis'' was accepted as a polymorphic species especially variable in the size and shape of its nuts and possibly a [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]. The relationships may be more complex after a long and reticulate [[phylogeny]], according to detailed [[chemical]] analyses of hickory nut oils. |
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One hybrid, C. x demareei Palmer (C. glabra x cordiformis) was described in 1937 from northeastern Arkansas. |
One hybrid, ''C.'' x ''demareei'' Palmer (''C. glabra'' x ''cordiformis'') was described in 1937 from northeastern [[Arkansas]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Baker, Whiteford L. 1972. Eastern forest insects. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Miscellaneous Publication 1175. Washington, DC. 642 p. |
*Baker, Whiteford L. 1972. Eastern forest insects. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Miscellaneous Publication 1175. Washington, DC. 642 p. |
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Boisen, A. T., and J. A. Newlin. 1910. The commercial hickories. USDA Forest Service, Bulletin 80. Washington, DC. 64 p. |
*Boisen, A. T., and J. A. Newlin. 1910. The commercial hickories. USDA Forest Service, Bulletin 80. Washington, DC. 64 p. |
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Bonner, F. T., and L. C. Maisenhelder. 1974. Carya Nutt. Hickory. In Seeds of woody plants in the United States. p. 262-272. C. S. Schopmeyer, tech. coord. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 450. Washington, DC. |
*Bonner, F. T., and L. C. Maisenhelder. 1974. Carya Nutt. Hickory. In Seeds of woody plants in the United States. p. 262-272. C. S. Schopmeyer, tech. coord. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 450. Washington, DC. |
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Campbell, W. A., and A. F. Verrall. 1956. Fungus enemies of hickory. USDA Forest Service, Hickory Task Force Report 3. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, NC. 8 p. |
*Campbell, W. A., and A. F. Verrall. 1956. Fungus enemies of hickory. USDA Forest Service, Hickory Task Force Report 3. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, NC. 8 p. |
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Dale, M. E. 1972. Growth and yield predictions for upland oak stands 10 years after initial thinning. USDA Forest Service, Research Paper NE-241. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 21 p. |
*Dale, M. E. 1972. Growth and yield predictions for upland oak stands 10 years after initial thinning. USDA Forest Service, Research Paper NE-241. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 21 p. |
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Eyre, F. H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 p. |
*Eyre, F. H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 p. |
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Gingrich, S. F. 1971. Management of young and intermediate stands of upland hardwoods. USDA Forest Service, Research Paper NE-195. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 26 p. |
*Gingrich, S. F. 1971. Management of young and intermediate stands of upland hardwoods. USDA Forest Service, Research Paper NE-195. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 26 p. |
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Halls, Lowell K., ed. 1977. Southern fruit-producing woody plants used by wildlife. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report SO-16. Southern Forest Experiment Station, New Orleans, IA. 235 p. |
*Halls, Lowell K., ed. 1977. Southern fruit-producing woody plants used by wildlife. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report SO-16. Southern Forest Experiment Station, New Orleans, IA. 235 p. |
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Hepting, George H. 1971. Diseases of forest and shade trees of the United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 386. Washington, DC. 658 p. |
*Hepting, George H. 1971. Diseases of forest and shade trees of the United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 386. Washington, DC. 658 p. |
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Keever, C. 1953. Present composition of some stands of the former oak-chestnut forests in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Ecology 34:44-54. |
*Keever, C. 1953. Present composition of some stands of the former oak-chestnut forests in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Ecology 34:44-54. |
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Little, Elbert L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 541. Washington, DC. 375 p. |
*Little, Elbert L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 541. Washington, DC. 375 p. |
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McCormick, J. F., and R. B. Platt. 1980. Recovery of an Appalachian forest following the chestnut blight or Catherine Keever-you were right! American Midland Naturalist 104:264-273. |
*McCormick, J. F., and R. B. Platt. 1980. Recovery of an Appalachian forest following the chestnut blight or Catherine Keever-you were right! American Midland Naturalist 104:264-273. |
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Martin, A. C., H. S. Zim, and A. L. Nelson. 1961. American wildlife and plants: a guide to wildlife food habits. Dover Publications, New York. 500 p. Unabridged republication of 1st (1951) edition. |
*Martin, A. C., H. S. Zim, and A. L. Nelson. 1961. American wildlife and plants: a guide to wildlife food habits. Dover Publications, New York. 500 p. Unabridged republication of 1st (1951) edition. |
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Martin, W. H. Personal correspondence. 1981. USDA Forest Service, Silviculture Laboratory, Sewanee, TN. |
*Martin, W. H. Personal correspondence. 1981. USDA Forest Service, Silviculture Laboratory, Sewanee, TN. |
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Mitchell, H. L., and R. F. Chandler, Jr. 1939. The nitrogen nutrition and growth of certain deciduous trees of northeastern United States. Black Rock Forest Bulletin 11. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. 94 p. |
*Mitchell, H. L., and R. F. Chandler, Jr. 1939. The nitrogen nutrition and growth of certain deciduous trees of northeastern United States. Black Rock Forest Bulletin 11. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. 94 p. |
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Nelson, T. C. 1965. Silvical characteristics of the commercial hickories. USDA Forest Service, Hickory Task Force Report 10. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, NC. 16 p. |
*Nelson, T. C. 1965. Silvical characteristics of the commercial hickories. USDA Forest Service, Hickory Task Force Report 10. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, NC. 16 p. |
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Roach, B. A., and S. F. Gingrich. 1968. Even-aged silviculture for upland central hardwoods. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 355. Washington, DC. 39 p. |
*Roach, B. A., and S. F. Gingrich. 1968. Even-aged silviculture for upland central hardwoods. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 355. Washington, DC. 39 p. |
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Sander, Ivan L. 1977. Manager's handbook for oaks in the North Central States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report NC-37. North Central Forest Experiment Station, St. Paul, MN. 35 p. |
*Sander, Ivan L. 1977. Manager's handbook for oaks in the North Central States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report NC-37. North Central Forest Experiment Station, St. Paul, MN. 35 p. |
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Schnur, G. Luther. 1937. Yield, stand, and volume tables for even-aged upland oak forests. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin 560. Washington, DC. 87 p. |
*Schnur, G. Luther. 1937. Yield, stand, and volume tables for even-aged upland oak forests. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin 560. Washington, DC. 87 p. |
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Thornthwaite, C. W. 1948. The climates of North America according to a new classification. Geographical Review 21:633-655. |
*Thornthwaite, C. W. 1948. The climates of North America according to a new classification. Geographical Review 21:633-655. |
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Tourney, J. W. 1929. Initial root habits in American trees and its bearing on regeneration. In Proceedings, International Plant Science Congress. 1926. p. 713-728. |
*Tourney, J. W. 1929. Initial root habits in American trees and its bearing on regeneration. In Proceedings, International Plant Science Congress. 1926. p. 713-728. |
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Trimble, G. R., Jr. 1975. Summaries of some silvical characteristics of several Appalachian hardwood trees. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report NE-16. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 5 p. |
*Trimble, G. R., Jr. 1975. Summaries of some silvical characteristics of several Appalachian hardwood trees. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report NE-16. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 5 p. |
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1978. Unpublished data. Silviculture Laboratory, Sewanee, TN. |
*U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1978. Unpublished data. Silviculture Laboratory, Sewanee, TN. |
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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1975. Soil taxonomy: a basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 436. Washington, DC. 754 p. |
*U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1975. Soil taxonomy: a basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 436. Washington, DC. 754 p. |
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U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey. 1970. The National Atlas of the United States. Washington, DC. 417 p. |
*U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey. 1970. The National Atlas of the United States. Washington, DC. 417 p. |
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Watt, Richard F., Kenneth A. Brinkman, and B. A. Roach. 1973. Oak-hickory. In Silvicultural systems for the major forest types of the United States. p. 66-69. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 455. Washington, DC. |
*Watt, Richard F., Kenneth A. Brinkman, and B. A. Roach. 1973. Oak-hickory. In Silvicultural systems for the major forest types of the United States. p. 66-69. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 455. Washington, DC. |
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Whittaker, R. H. 1956. Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains. Ecological Monographs 26:1-80. |
*Whittaker, R. H. 1956. Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains. Ecological Monographs 26:1-80. |
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{{USGovernment|sourceURL=http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.shtm}} |
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(''Silvics of North America; volume 2: Hardwoods'', United States Department of |
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Agriculture Forest Service Agriculture Handbook 654, 1990). |
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[[Category:Juglandaceae]] |
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[[Category:Trees of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Trees of Canada]] |
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[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]] |
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[[Category:Trees of humid continental climate]] |
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[[Category:Native crops of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Trees of North Carolina]] |
Revision as of 23:39, 28 October 2008
Pignut Hickory | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | |
Division: | |
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Species: | C. glabra
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Binomial name | |
Carya glabra |
Pignut hickory (Carya glabra) is a common but not abundant species in the oak-hickory forest association in the Eastern United States. Other common names are pignut, sweet pignut, coast pignut hickory, smoothbark hickory, swamp hickory, and broom hickory. The pear-shaped nut ripens in September and October and is an important part of the diet of many wild animals. The wood is used for a variety of products, including fuel for home heating.
Habitat
Native Range
The range of pignut hickory covers nearly all of eastern United States (11). It extends from Massachusetts and the southwest corner of New Hampshire westward through southern Vermont and extreme southern Ontario to central Lower Peninsula of Michigan and Illinois; southward through extreme southeastern Iowa, Missouri, and Arkansas to Louisiana and parts of East Texas. The species grows eastward through Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast to Mississippi and Alabama into central Florida.
The best development of this species is in the lower Ohio River Basin. It is the hickory most commonly found in the Appalachian forests. Pignut makes up much of the hickory harvested in Kentucky, West Virginia, the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee, and the hill country of the Ohio Valley.
Climate
Pignut hickory grows in a humid climate with an average annual precipitation of 760 to 2,030 mm (30 to 80 in) of which 510 to 1,020 mm (20 to 40 in) is rain during the growing season. Average snowfall varies from little to none in the South to 2,540 mm (100 in) or more in the mountains of West Virginia, southeastern New York, and southern Vermont (25).
Within the range of pignut hickory, average annual temperatures vary from 7°C (45°F) in the north to 21°C (70°F) in Florida. Average January temperature varies from -4° to 16°C (25° to 60°F) and average July temperature varies from 21° to 27°C (70° to 80°F). Extremes of 46° and -30°C (115° and -22°F) have been recorded within the range. The growing season varies by latitude and elevation from 140 to 300 days.
Mean annual relative humidity ranges from 70 to 80 percent with small monthly differences; daytime relative humidity often falls below 50% while nighttime humidity approaches 100%.
Mean annual hours of sunshine range from 2,200 to 3,000. Average January sunshine varies from 100 to 200 hours, and July sunshine from 260 to 340 hours. Mean daily solar radiation ranges from 12.57 to 18.86 million J m± (300 to 450 langleys). In January daily radiation varies from 6.28 to 12.57 million J m± (150 to 300 langleys), and in July from 20.95 to 23.04 million J m± (500 to 550 langleys).
According to one classification of climate (20), the range of pignut hickory south of the Ohio River, except for a small area in Florida, is designated as humid, mesothermal. That part of the range lying north of the Ohio River is designated humid, mesothermal. Part of the species range in peninsular Florida is classed as subhumid, mesothermal. Mountains in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee are classed as wet, microthermal, and mountains in South Carolina and Georgia are classed as wet, mesothermal. Throughout its range, precipitation is rated adequate during all seasons.
Soils and Topography
Pignut hickory frequently grows on dry ridgetops and sideslopes throughout its range but it is also common on moist sites, particularly in the mountains and Piedmont. In the Great Smoky Mountains pignut hickory has been observed on dry sandy soils at low elevations. Whittaker (27) placed pignut in a submesic class and charted it as ranging up to 1480 m (4,850 ft)-the hickory with the greatest elevational range in the Great Smoky Mountains. In southwest Virginia, south-facing upper slopes from 975 to 1050 m (3,200 to 3,445 ft) of Beanfield Mountain are dominated by pignut hickory, northern red oak Quercus rubra), and white oak (Q. alba). This site is the most xeric habitat on the mountain because of high insolation, 70 percent slopes, and medium- to coarse-textured soils derived from Clinch sandstone. Mid-elevation slopes from 800 to 975 m (2,625 to 3,200 ft) are dominated by chestnut oak (Q. prinus), northern red oak, and pignut hickory and coincide with three shale formations (12).
The range of pignut hickory encompasses 7 orders, 12 suborders, and 22 great groups of soils (24,25). About two-thirds of the species range is dominated by Ultisols, which are low in bases and have subsurface horizons of clay accumulation. They are usually moist but are dry during part of the warm season. Udults is the dominant suborder and Hapludults and Paleudults are the dominant great groups. These soils are derived from a variety of parent materials-sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, glacial till, and in places varying thickness of loess-which vary in age from Precambrian to Quaternary.
A wide range of soil fertility exists as evidenced by soil orders-Alfisols and Mollisols which are medium to high in base saturation to Ultisols which are low in base saturation (24). Pignut hickory responds to increases in soil nitrogen similarly to American beech (Fagus grandifolia), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) (15). These species are rated as intermediate in nitrogen deficiency tolerance and consequently are able to grow with lower levels of nitrogen than are required by "nitrogen- demanding" white ash (Fraxinus americana), yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and American basswood (Tilia americana). Hickories are considered "soil improvers" because their leaves have a relatively high calcium content.
Associated Forest Cover
Hickories are consistently present in the broad eastern upland climax forest association commonly called oak-hickory, but they are not generally abundant (18). Locally, hickories may make up to 20 to 30 percent of stand basal area, particularly in slope and cove forests below the escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau (23) and in second-growth forests in the Cumberland Mountains, especially on benches (14). It has been hypothesized that hickory will replace chestnut (Castanea dentata) killed by the blight (Cryphonectria parasitica) in the Appalachian Highlands (10,12). On Beanfield Mountain in Giles County, Virginia, the former chestnut-oak complex has changed to an oak-hickory association over a period of 50 years. This association is dominated by pignut hickory with an importance value of 41.0 (maximum value = 300), northern red oak (36.0), and chestnut oak (25.0). White oak, red maple (Acer rubrum), and sugar maple are subdominant species.
Pignut hickory is an associated species in 20 of the 90 forest cover types listed by the Society of American Foresters for the eastern United States (6):
Northern Forest Region
Central Forest Region
40 Post Oak-Blackjack Oak
44 Chestnut Oak
45 Pitch Pine
46 Eastern Redcedar
52 White Oak-Black Oak-Northern Red Oak
53 White Oak
55 Northern Red Oak
57 Yellow-Poplar
59 Yellow-Poplar-White Oak-Northern Red Oak
64 Sassafras-Persimmon
110 Black Oak
Southern Forest Region
75 Shortleaf Pine
76 Shortleaf Pine-Oak
78 Virginia Pine-Oak
79 Virginia Pine
80 Loblolly Pine-Shortleaf Pine
81 Loblolly Pine
82 Loblolly Pine-Hardwood
83 Longleaf Pine-Slash Pine
Because the range of pignut hickory is so extensive, it is not feasible to list the associated trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses, which vary according to elevation, topographic conditions, edaphic features, and geographic locality.
Life History
Reproduction and Early Growth
Flowering and Fruiting- Hickories are monoecious and flower in the spring (3). The staminate catkins of pignut hickory are 8 to 18 cm (3 to 7 in) long and develop from axils of leaves of the previous season or from inner scales of the terminal buds at the base of the current growth. The pistillate flowers appear in spikes about 6 mm (0.25 in) long on peduncles terminating in shoots of the current year. Flowers open from the middle of March in the southeast part of the range to early June in New England. The catkins usually emerge before the pistillate flowers.
The fruit of hickory is pear shaped and enclosed in a thin husk developed from the floral involucre. The fruit ripens in September and October, and seeds are dispersed from September through December. Husks are green until maturity; they turn brown to brownish-black as they ripen. The husks become dry at maturity and split away from the nut into four valves along sutures. Husks of pignut hickory split only to the middle or slightly beyond and generally cling to the nut, which is unribbed, with a thick shell.
Seed Production and Dissemination
Pignut hickory begins to bear seed in quantity in 30 years, with optimum production between 75 and 200 years (16). The maximum age for seed production is about 300 years. Good seed crops occur every year or two with light crops in other years; frost can seriously hinder seed production (22). Usually less than half of the seeds are sound (2,3), but 50 to 75 percent of these will germinate. The hickory shuckworm (Laspeyresia caryana) can seriously reduce germination. Pignut seed, averaging 440/kg (200/lb), is lighter than the seed of other hickory species. The nuts are disseminated mainly by gravity, but the range of seeding is extended by squirrels and chipmunks.
Seedling Development
Hickories exhibit embryo dormancy which is overcome naturally by overwintering in the duff and litter or artificially by stratification in a moist medium at 1° to 4°C (33° to 40°F) for 30 to 150 days. In forest tree nurseries unstratified hickory nuts are sown in the fall and stratified nuts are sown in the spring. Hickories are hypogeously germinating plants, and the nuts seldom remain viable in the forest floor for more than one winter (22).
Seedling growth of hickories is slow. The following height growth of pignut hickory seedlings was reported in the Ohio Valley in the open or under light shade, on red clay soil (2):
Age | Height | |
---|---|---|
(yr) | (cm) | (in) |
1 | 8 | 3.0 |
2 | 15 | 5.8 |
3 | 20 | 8.0 |
4 | 30 | 12.0 |
5 | 43 | 17.0 |
Vegetative Reproduction
Hickories sprout readily from stumps and roots. Stump sprouting is not as prolific as in other deciduous trees species but the sprouts that are produced are vigorous and grow fairly rapidly in height. Root sprouts also are vigorous and probably more numerous than stump sprouts in cut-over areas. Small stumps sprout more frequently than large ones. Sprouts that originate at or below ground level and from small stumps are less likely to develop heartwood decay. Pignut hickory is difficult to reproduce from cuttings.
Sapling and Pole Stages to Maturity
Growth and Yield- Pignut hickory often grows 24 to 27 m (80 to 90 ft) tall and occasionally reaches 37 m (120 ft), with d.b.h. of 91 to 122 cm (36 to 48 in). The bole is often forked. Height and diameter by age are shown in table 1 for selected locations. Diameter growth of pignut hickory (along with chestnut oak, white oak, sweet birch (Betula lenta), and American beech is rated slow. Since hickories constitute 15 percent or less of the basal area of oak-hickory forest types, most growth and yield information is written in terms of oak rather than oak-hickory. Yields of mixed oak stands (5,7,19) and of hickory stands (2) have been reported. Tree volume tables are available (2,19).
Age | D.b.h. | Height | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S. Indiana and N.Kentucky¹ | Ohio Valley¹ | Northern Ohio¹ | Cumberland Mountains² | Mississippi Valley² | |
(yr) | (cm) | (m) | (m) | (m) | (m) |
10 | 2 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
20 | 5 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 4.3 | 5.8 |
30 | 8 | 9.8 | 10.7 | 7.3 | 8.2 |
40 | 11 | 12.8 | 14.6 | 9.8 | 10.4 |
50 | 14 | 15.5 | 18.6 | 12.2 | 12.2 |
60 | 17 | 17.7 | 21.0 | 14.6 | 14.0 |
70 | 21 | 19.5 | 22.6 | 16.8 | 15.8 |
80 | 25 | 21.0 | -- | 18.9 | 17.7 |
(yr) | (in) | (ft) | (ft) | (ft) | (ft) |
10 | 1.0 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
20 | 2.0 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 19 |
30 | 3.2 | 32 | 35 | 24 | 27 |
40 | 4.4 | 42 | 48 | 32 | 34 |
50 | 5.5 | 51 | 61 | 40 | 40 |
60 | 6.8 | 58 | 69 | 48 | 46 |
70 | 8.4 | 64 | 74 | 55 | 52 |
80 | 10.0 | 69 | -- | 62 | 58 |
¹Second growth. ²Virgin forest.
Rooting Habit
Pignut hickory tends to develop a pronounced taproot with few laterals and is rated as windfirm (21). The taproot develops early, which may explain the slow growth of seedling shoots. Taproots may develop in compact and stony soils.
Reaction to Competition
The hickories as a group are classed as intermediate in shade tolerance; however, pignut hickory has been classed as intolerant in the Northeast and tolerant in the Southeast. In much of the area covered by mixed oak forests, shade-tolerant hardwoods (including the hickories) are climax, and the trend of succession toward this climax is very strong. Although most silvicultural systems when applied to oak types will maintain a hardwood forest, the cutting methods used affects the rapidity with which other species may replace the oaks and hickories (17,18,26).
Damaging Agents
Pignut hickory is easily damaged by fire, which causes stem degrade or loss of volume, or both. Internal discolorations called mineral streak are common and are one major reason why so few standing hickories meet trade specifications. Streaks result from yellow-bellied sapsucker pecking, pin knots, worm holes, and mechanical injuries. Hickories strongly resist ice damage and seldom develop epicormic branches.
The Index of Plant Diseases in the United States lists 133 fungi and 10 other causes of diseases on Carya species (4,9). Most of the fungi are saprophytes, but a few are damaging to foliage, produce cankers, or cause trunk or root rots.
The most common disease of pignut hickory from Pennsylvania southward is a trunk rot caused by Poria spiculosa. Cankers vary in size and appearance depending on their age. A common form develops around a branch wound and resembles a swollen, nearly healed wound. On large trees these may become prominent burl-like bodies having several vertical or irregular folds in the callus covering. A single trunk canker near the base is a sign that the butt log is badly infected, and multiple cankers are evidence that the entire tree may be a cull.
Major leaf diseases are anthracnose (Gnomonia caryae) and mildew (Microstroma juglandis). The former causes brown spots with definite margins on the undersides of the leaf. These may coalesce and cause widespread blotching. Mildew invades the leaves and twigs and may form witches' brooms by stimulating bud formation. Although locally prevalent, mildew offers no problem in the management of hickory.
The stem canker (Nectria galligena) produces depressed areas with concentric bark rings that develop on the trunk and branches. Affected trees are sometimes eliminated through breakage or competition and sometimes live to reach merchantable size with cull section at the canker. No special control measures are required, but cankered trees should be harvested in stand improvement operations.
A gall-forming fungus species of Phomopsis can produce warty excrescences ranging from small twig galls to very large trunk burls on northern hickories and oaks. Little information is available on root diseases of hickory.
More than 100 insects have been reported to infest hickory trees and wood products, but only a few cause death or severe damage (1). The hickory bark beetle (Scolytus quadrispinosus) is the most important insect enemy of hickory, and also one of the most important insect pests of hardwoods in the Eastern United States. During drought periods in the Southeast, outbreaks often develop and large tracts of timber are killed. At other times, damage may be confined to the killing of a single tree or to portions of the tops of trees. The foliage of heavily infested trees turns red within a few weeks after attack, and the trees soon die. There is one generation per year in northern areas and normally two broods per year in the South. Control consists of felling infested trees and destroying the bark during winter months or storing infested logs in ponds.
Logs and dying trees of several hardwood species including pignut hickory are attacked by the ambrosia beetle (Platypus quadridentatus) throughout the South and north to West Virginia and North Carolina. The false powderpost beetle (Xylobiops basilaris) attacks recently felled or dying trees, logs, or limbs with bark in the Eastern and Southern States. Hickory, persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), and pecan (C. illinoinensis) are most frequently infested, but other hardwoods also are attacked. Healthy trees growing in proximity to heavily infested trees are occasionally attacked but almost always without success. Hickory and persimmon wood (useful in the manufacture of small products such as shuttle blocks, mallets, and mauls) is sometimes seriously damaged.
Hickory is one of several host species of the twig girdler (Oncideres cingulata). Infested trees and seedlings are not only damaged severely but become ragged and unattractive. A few of the more common species of gall-producing insects attacking hickory are Phylloxera caryaecaulis, Caryomyia holotricha, C. sanguinolenta, and C. tubicola.
Special Uses
Hickories provide food to many kinds of wildlife (8,13). The nuts are relished by several species of squirrel and represent an estimated 10 to 25 percent of their diet. Nuts and flowers are eaten by the wild turkey and several species of songbirds. Nuts and bark are eaten by black bears, foxes, rabbits, and raccoons. Small mammals eat the nuts and leaves; 5 to 10 percent of the diet of eastern chipmunks is hickory nuts. White-tailed deer occasionally browse hickory leaves, twigs, and nuts.
The kernel of hickory seeds is exceptionally high in crude fat, up to 70 to 80 percent in some species. Crude protein, phosphorus, and calcium contents are generally moderate to low. Crude fiber is very low.
Pignut hickory makes up a small percentage of the biomass in low-quality upland hardwood stands that are prime candidates for clearcutting for chips or fuelwood as the first step toward rehabilitation to more productive stands. Hickory has a relatively high heating value and is used extensively as a home heating fuel.
Pignut hickory is an important shade tree in wooded suburban areas over most of the range but is seldom planted as an ornamental tree.
Genetics
Carya glabra var. megacarpa (Sarg.) Sarg., coast pignut hickory, was once recognized as a distinct variety but is now considered to be a synonym of C. glabra (Mill.) Sweet. C. leiodermis Sarg., swamp hickory, has also been added as a synonym of C. glabra (11).
Carya glabra (Mill.) Sweet var. glabra distinguishes the (typical) pignut hickory from red hickory (C. glabra var. odorata (Marsh.) Little). The taxonomic position of red hickory is controversial. The binomial C. ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. was published in 1913 for a segregate of C. glabra. It was reduced to a synonym of C. glabra in Little's 1953 checklist but was elevated to a variety in the 1979 edition (11). The principal difference is in the husk of the fruit, opening late and only partly, or remaining closed in C. glabra but promptly splitting to the base in C. ovalis. However, many trees are intermediate in this trait, and the recorded ranges are almost the same. The leaves of C. ovalis have mostly seven leaflets; those of C. glabra have mostly five leaflets. The two can be distinguished with certainty only in November. Since the two ranges seem to overlap, the distributions have been mapped together as a Carya glabra-ovalis complex (11).
Carya ovalis has also been treated as an interspecific hybrid between C. glabra and C. ovata. C. ovalis was accepted as a polymorphic species especially variable in the size and shape of its nuts and possibly a hybrid. The relationships may be more complex after a long and reticulate phylogeny, according to detailed chemical analyses of hickory nut oils.
One hybrid, C. x demareei Palmer (C. glabra x cordiformis) was described in 1937 from northeastern Arkansas.
References
- Baker, Whiteford L. 1972. Eastern forest insects. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Miscellaneous Publication 1175. Washington, DC. 642 p.
- Boisen, A. T., and J. A. Newlin. 1910. The commercial hickories. USDA Forest Service, Bulletin 80. Washington, DC. 64 p.
- Bonner, F. T., and L. C. Maisenhelder. 1974. Carya Nutt. Hickory. In Seeds of woody plants in the United States. p. 262-272. C. S. Schopmeyer, tech. coord. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 450. Washington, DC.
- Campbell, W. A., and A. F. Verrall. 1956. Fungus enemies of hickory. USDA Forest Service, Hickory Task Force Report 3. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, NC. 8 p.
- Dale, M. E. 1972. Growth and yield predictions for upland oak stands 10 years after initial thinning. USDA Forest Service, Research Paper NE-241. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 21 p.
- Eyre, F. H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 p.
- Gingrich, S. F. 1971. Management of young and intermediate stands of upland hardwoods. USDA Forest Service, Research Paper NE-195. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 26 p.
- Halls, Lowell K., ed. 1977. Southern fruit-producing woody plants used by wildlife. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report SO-16. Southern Forest Experiment Station, New Orleans, IA. 235 p.
- Hepting, George H. 1971. Diseases of forest and shade trees of the United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 386. Washington, DC. 658 p.
- Keever, C. 1953. Present composition of some stands of the former oak-chestnut forests in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Ecology 34:44-54.
- Little, Elbert L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 541. Washington, DC. 375 p.
- McCormick, J. F., and R. B. Platt. 1980. Recovery of an Appalachian forest following the chestnut blight or Catherine Keever-you were right! American Midland Naturalist 104:264-273.
- Martin, A. C., H. S. Zim, and A. L. Nelson. 1961. American wildlife and plants: a guide to wildlife food habits. Dover Publications, New York. 500 p. Unabridged republication of 1st (1951) edition.
- Martin, W. H. Personal correspondence. 1981. USDA Forest Service, Silviculture Laboratory, Sewanee, TN.
- Mitchell, H. L., and R. F. Chandler, Jr. 1939. The nitrogen nutrition and growth of certain deciduous trees of northeastern United States. Black Rock Forest Bulletin 11. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. 94 p.
- Nelson, T. C. 1965. Silvical characteristics of the commercial hickories. USDA Forest Service, Hickory Task Force Report 10. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, NC. 16 p.
- Roach, B. A., and S. F. Gingrich. 1968. Even-aged silviculture for upland central hardwoods. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 355. Washington, DC. 39 p.
- Sander, Ivan L. 1977. Manager's handbook for oaks in the North Central States. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report NC-37. North Central Forest Experiment Station, St. Paul, MN. 35 p.
- Schnur, G. Luther. 1937. Yield, stand, and volume tables for even-aged upland oak forests. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin 560. Washington, DC. 87 p.
- Thornthwaite, C. W. 1948. The climates of North America according to a new classification. Geographical Review 21:633-655.
- Tourney, J. W. 1929. Initial root habits in American trees and its bearing on regeneration. In Proceedings, International Plant Science Congress. 1926. p. 713-728.
- Trimble, G. R., Jr. 1975. Summaries of some silvical characteristics of several Appalachian hardwood trees. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report NE-16. Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Upper Darby, PA. 5 p.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1978. Unpublished data. Silviculture Laboratory, Sewanee, TN.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1975. Soil taxonomy: a basic system of soil classification for making and interpreting soil surveys. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 436. Washington, DC. 754 p.
- U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey. 1970. The National Atlas of the United States. Washington, DC. 417 p.
- Watt, Richard F., Kenneth A. Brinkman, and B. A. Roach. 1973. Oak-hickory. In Silvicultural systems for the major forest types of the United States. p. 66-69. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 455. Washington, DC.
- Whittaker, R. H. 1956. Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains. Ecological Monographs 26:1-80.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/pubs/silvics_manual/table_of_contents.shtm
(Silvics of North America; volume 2: Hardwoods, United States Department of
Agriculture Forest Service Agriculture Handbook 654, 1990).