Red hickory is sometimes referred to as pignut hickory or false shagbark hickory. It has a slightly shaggy bark and good golden-yellow fall color. The nuts are edible and attractive to wildlife.
This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.
- Family (English) Walnut
- Family (botanic) Juglandaceae
- Planting site City parkway, Residential and parks
- Tree or plant type Tree
- Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
- Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
- Size range Large tree (more than 40 feet)
- Mature height 60-100 feet
- Mature width 60-80 feet
- Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
- Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
- Drought tolerance Moderately tolerant
- Other tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites, Wet sites
- Season of interest early fall, mid fall
- Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
- Shape or form Round
- Growth rate Slow
- Transplants well No
- Wildlife Browsers, Game birds, Migrant birds, Small mammals
- Has cultivars Yes
