Water Hickory
Carya aquatica
Last reviewed: September 2026
Carya aquatica, or water hickory, is a bottomland tree that thrives in wet, poorly drained floodplains and swamps across the southeastern and south-central United States, blooming in April and May.
Water Hickory (Carya aquatica) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-08-15). 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 Water Hickory as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
high
Size
360"–720" H × 240"–480" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, FL, GA and 11 more states
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Water hickory is a large native tree that naturally grows in wetlands and floodplains. It produces distinctive compound leaves and small nuts, thriving in consistently moist to wet soils where other trees struggle.
Growing Water Hickory
Grow Water Hickory in part sun and high water. Mature plants reach 360 to 720 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Water Hickory takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Extremely large mature size unsuitable for most residential lots
- Requires consistently wet conditions that may cause drainage concerns
- Drops nuts and debris that require regular cleanup
Wildlife value
This tree supports over 200 species of moths and butterflies as a host plant, while its nuts provide food for squirrels, waterfowl, and other wildlife.
Common questions
- What kind of habitat does water hickory prefer?
- Water hickory grows best in low, wet bottomlands and floodplain forests that flood periodically, such as those along rivers and in swamp margins throughout the southeastern and south-central United States.
- When does water hickory bloom?
- Water hickory produces its inconspicuous flowers in April and May, before the leaves are fully expanded.
- How much light does water hickory need?
- Water hickory grows well in full sun to partial shade, often establishing in the more open conditions of floodplain edges and thinning out as forest canopies close in.
- How much water does water hickory require?
- This tree tolerates consistently wet to moist soils and is often found in seasonally flooded bottomlands, though it can also persist in moderately moist sites.
- What growth habit does water hickory have?
- Water hickory is a deciduous tree that can reach considerable height in mature bottomland forests, with a form typical of other hickories in the Carya genus.
- Is Water Hickory toxic to dogs?
- Water Hickory is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Water Hickory toxic to cats?
- Water Hickory is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- Is Water Hickory toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Water Hickory as toxic to livestock.
- Is Water Hickory HOA-friendly?
- Water Hickory takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
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