About This Plant
Pignut Hickory, like many hickories, is a large, straight growing tree with a rounded crown shape. It produces nuts that are eaten by many different wildlife species, and is a host plant for various Lepidoptera species. In the wild, it is often found growing on hillsides and ridges with drier soils, but also grows well in moist soils. They need plenty of room to grow and are difficult to transplant because of their large taproot. Their planting space should be planned carefully!
Plant Details
Environment
Attributes
- Plant Types
- Maximum Plant Width
- Peak Bloom Seasons
- Leaf Retentions
- Growth Rates
- Mature Plant Heights
- Bloom Colors
- Bloom Times
- Additional Features
Benefits
- Wildlife Benefits
Plant Facts
Early European settlers fed the nuts to their pigs, thus giving the tree its common name, “Pignut”. | The wood was used to make broom handles and wagonwheels, and is still valued for its strength today.
Alternate Names
Broom Hickory, Coast Pignut Hickory, Pignut, Red Hickory, Small Fruited Hickory, Smoothbark Hickory, Swamp Hickory, Sweet Pignut Hickory, Switch Hickory
