Mockernut Hickory
Carya alba
Last reviewed: September 2026
Big-bud hickory is a tall deciduous tree that flowers in May and June and grows well in full sun on well-drained upland soils across the eastern and southeastern United States.
Toxicity unknown
Mockernut Hickory (Carya alba) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
600"–1200" H × 300"–600" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 more states
Pollinators
bees, moths
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Mockernut hickory is a large native shade tree that can reach 50-100 feet tall with a broad, rounded crown. This long-lived deciduous tree produces small spring flowers followed by edible nuts in fall. It's valued for its strong wood and excellent shade coverage in spacious landscapes.
In an HOA neighborhood
Mockernut Hickory is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, street edge, mid zone.
- Drops nuts and leaves seasonally
- Requires significant space due to large mature size
Wildlife value
Host plant for luna moth, hickory tussock moth.
The spring flowers attract bees and moths for pollination. The nuts provide important food for squirrels, chipmunks, and various bird species.
Common questions
- When does Big-bud Hickory bloom?
- Big-bud Hickory produces small greenish-yellow catkins in May and June, appearing as the compound leaves are still unfolding.
- What growing conditions does Big-bud Hickory need?
- This tree performs best in full sun with medium soil moisture, and mature trees can handle drier, well-drained upland sites once established.
- Is Big-bud Hickory an evergreen tree?
- No, Big-bud Hickory is deciduous and drops its compound leaves each autumn after they turn yellow to golden brown.
- How fast does Big-bud Hickory grow?
- Big-bud Hickory is a slow to moderate grower, often taking many decades to reach its full mature height in forest settings.
- Is Mockernut Hickory HOA-friendly?
- Mockernut Hickory is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Mockernut Hickory? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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