What kind of light does shagbark hickory need?

Shagbark hickory grows best in full sun but can tolerate part sun or part shade, especially as a young tree growing up under a forest canopy.

How much water does shagbark hickory require?

This tree prefers medium, well-drained soil moisture and can handle drier conditions once its root system is established.

When does shagbark hickory bloom?

Shagbark hickory blooms in May and June, with small flowers appearing around the same time the leaves emerge.

What pollinates shagbark hickory?

Bees and beetles visit the flowers of shagbark hickory and assist with pollination.

How can you identify a shagbark hickory tree?

The most distinctive feature is its bark, which separates into long, curling gray strips that give the trunk a shaggy appearance.

Is Shagbark Hickory toxic to livestock?

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

Is Shagbark Hickory HOA-friendly?

Shagbark Hickory is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Shagbark Hickory

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Carya ovata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Carya ovata, or shagbark hickory, is a large deciduous tree known for its shaggy gray bark. It blooms in May and June and grows best in full sun with medium, well-drained soil.

Toxicity unknown

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) 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.

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

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

600"–1200" H × 300"–600" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 30 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Shagbark hickory is a large native shade tree known for its distinctive peeling bark that creates dramatic gray plates on mature trunks. This slow-growing tree produces edible nuts and develops brilliant golden-yellow fall color, making it an excellent long-term landscape investment.

Growing Shagbark Hickory

Grow Shagbark Hickory in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 600 to 1200 inches tall and spread 300 to 600 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Shagbark Hickory is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, mid zone.

Drops nuts and twigs seasonally
Very slow growth means long payback period

Wildlife value

Host plant for Luna moth, Hickory tussock moth, Banded hairstreak butterfly.

The tree supports over 200 species of butterflies and moths as caterpillar host, while also providing nuts for squirrels, chipmunks, and birds. Spring flowers attract bees and beetles for pollination.

Common questions

What kind of light does shagbark hickory need?: Shagbark hickory grows best in full sun but can tolerate part sun or part shade, especially as a young tree growing up under a forest canopy.
How much water does shagbark hickory require?: This tree prefers medium, well-drained soil moisture and can handle drier conditions once its root system is established.
When does shagbark hickory bloom?: Shagbark hickory blooms in May and June, with small flowers appearing around the same time the leaves emerge.
What pollinates shagbark hickory?: Bees and beetles visit the flowers of shagbark hickory and assist with pollination.
How can you identify a shagbark hickory tree?: The most distinctive feature is its bark, which separates into long, curling gray strips that give the trunk a shaggy appearance.
Is Shagbark Hickory toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Shagbark Hickory as toxic to livestock.
Is Shagbark Hickory HOA-friendly?: Shagbark 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.

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Ready to grow Shagbark Hickory? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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