When does kingnut hickory bloom?

Kingnut hickory produces its catkins in April and May, before the tree is fully leafed out.

What growing conditions does kingnut hickory need?

This tree grows as a large deciduous shade tree that does best in full sun with consistently moist, medium to wet soil, often along river bottoms and floodplains.

What pollinates kingnut hickory?

Bees and beetles visit the flowers for pollen, though hickories rely mainly on wind for pollen transfer between separate male and female flowers on the same tree.

How much water does a kingnut hickory tree need?

It prefers medium to consistently moist soil and tolerates periodic flooding better than many other hickory species, reflecting its typical bottomland habitat.

Is Kingnut toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Kingnut as toxic to livestock.

Is Kingnut HOA-friendly?

Kingnut is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Kingnut

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Carya laciniosa

Last reviewed: September 2026

Carya laciniosa, the kingnut or shellbark hickory, is a large deciduous tree that blooms in April and May and grows best in full sun on moist, well-drained bottomland soils.

Kingnut (Carya laciniosa) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Kingnut as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

600"–900" H × 400"–600" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, DE, GA and 24 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Piedmont Western Corn Belt Plains Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains

Kingnut is a large native hickory tree that produces edible nuts and develops a broad, rounded canopy. This stately shade tree grows 50-75 feet tall and wide, making it suitable only for spacious landscapes. It provides excellent fall color with golden-yellow foliage.

Growing Kingnut

Grow Kingnut in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 600 to 900 inches tall and spread 400 to 600 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Kingnut is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely large mature size unsuitable for most residential lots
Heavy nut drop creates maintenance issues
Slow growth rate may not provide immediate landscape impact

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract bees and beetles, while the large nuts feed squirrels, chipmunks, and various bird species. The dense canopy provides nesting sites and shelter for many wildlife species.

Common questions

When does kingnut hickory bloom?: Kingnut hickory produces its catkins in April and May, before the tree is fully leafed out.
What growing conditions does kingnut hickory need?: This tree grows as a large deciduous shade tree that does best in full sun with consistently moist, medium to wet soil, often along river bottoms and floodplains.
What pollinates kingnut hickory?: Bees and beetles visit the flowers for pollen, though hickories rely mainly on wind for pollen transfer between separate male and female flowers on the same tree.
How much water does a kingnut hickory tree need?: It prefers medium to consistently moist soil and tolerates periodic flooding better than many other hickory species, reflecting its typical bottomland habitat.
Is Kingnut toxic to dogs?: Kingnut is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Kingnut toxic to cats?: Kingnut is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Kingnut toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Kingnut as toxic to livestock.
Is Kingnut HOA-friendly?: Kingnut is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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