Mockernut Hickory
Carya tomentosa
Alice B. Russell
Mockernut Hickory is one of several common hickory trees in our area. They are a medium-sized trees, growing up to 80 feeet tall. Trunks can be up to two feet wide.
Mockernut Hickories grow in forests with many other trees, especially oaks and pines.
Mockernut Hickory trees grow very slowly.
Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery
Tihomir Kostadinov, University of Richmond
The bark of Mockernuts is gray with furrows (deep wrinkles).
Mockernut Hickory leaves are pinnately compound, which means there are many little leaflets (either seven or nine) surrounding a single stem. The whole leaf grows up to 20 inches long, with each leaflet growing up to eight inches long.
Leaves are shiny yellowish-green on top, and pale green below. The undersides of the leaves are very hairy. In the fall, leaves turn bright yellow.
Mockernut Hickory flowers are tiny and clustered together to make a hanging catkin. Three catkins hang from one stalk.
Fruits are 1 1/2 inches to two inches long and round or pear-shaped. They are green at first, turning brown as they get older. When the fruit, or nut, matures the sides split apart so that there are four pieces of thick husk surrounding the seed.
If a Mockernut Hickory tree falls, or is cut down, new sprouts can grow from the stump.
Tihomir Kostadinov, University of Richmond
Tihomir Kostadinov, University of Richmond
Mockernut Hickories grow with many other trees and plants, including: oaks, pines, Yellow Poplar, American Sycamore, Sassafras, Sweetgum, Flowering Dogwood, maples, sumac, Redbud, American Hornbeam, Eastern Redcedar, American Holly, American Elm, wild grapes, honeysuckle, Mountain Laurel, blueberries, greenbriers, Spicebush, Witch Hazel, goldenrods, asters, and sedges.
They also grow with other hickories, such as the Shagbark Hickory and Pignut Hickory.
NOBLE
Tihomir Kostadinov, University of Richmond
Mockernut Hickory nuts are consumed by many species of birds and other animals, including Wood Duck, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red Fox, squirrels, Beaver, Eastern Cottontail, Eastern Chipmunk, Turkey, White-tailed Deer, White-footed Mice, and others.
Many insect pests eat hickory leaves and bark.
Mockernut Hickories also provide cavities for animals to live in, such as woodpeckers, Black Rat Snakes, Raccoons, Carolina Chickadees, and more.
They are also good nesting trees, providing cover for birds with their thick foliage.
Animals help disperse seeds so that new hickories can grow elsewhere. Chipmunks, squirrels, and birds do this best.
Some fungi grow on Mockernut Hickory roots, sharing nutrients from the soil.
Relationships in Nature:
Animals Using as Food Source
Animals Using as Shelter
Associations With Other Plants
OTHER
Eastern Chipmunk
Pileated Woodpecker
Black Oak
Eastern Chipmunk D
White-tailed Deer
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Southern Red Oak
Eastern Gray Squirrel D
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Black Rat Snake
Eastern White Pine
Wild Turkey D
Beaver
Wood Duck
Virginia Pine
Virginia Creeper Pa
Eastern Cottontail
Raccoon
American Sycamore
Poison Ivy Pa
Wild Turkey
Luna Moth
Sweetgum
Honey Mushroom Pa
Red Fox
Mourning Cloak
Red Maple
Turkey Tail Pa
Wood Duck
White-breasted Nuthatch
American Elm
White-breasted Nuthatch D
Raccoon
European Gypsy Moth
Sassafras
Blue Jay D
Luna Moth
Harvestman
Flowering Dogwood
Jack O'Lantern Pa
Common Crow
True Katydid
Common Reed
Japanese Honeysuckle Pa
Blue Jay
Beaver
American Hornbeam
Oyster Mushroom Pa
White-breasted Nuthatch
Eastern Hercules Beetle
Wild Grape
Oystershell Scale Pa
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Polyphemus Moth
Highbush Blueberry
Dogwood Borer Pa
Oystershell Scale
Oystershell Scale
Greenbrier
White-footed Mouse
Dogwood Borer
Yellow Poplar
European Gypsy Moth
Bald-faced Hornet
Witch Hazel
True Katydid
Goldenrod
Soil Mite
Spicebush
Dogwood Borer
Black Locust
Relationship to Humans:
Mockernut Hickory nuts are edible for humans. The wood of this tree is very hard and is used for furniture, flooring, tool handles, baseball bats, and skis. It also makes great firewood. Smoked hams are usually cooked using Mockernut Hickory wood.
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
KINGDOM
Plant
DIVISION
Magnoliophyta
CLASS
Magnoliopsida
ORDER
Juglandales
FAMILY
Juglandaceae
GENUS
Carya
SPECIES
Carya tomentosa
Contact Information
Email: Mark.Moran@fcps.edu
Island Creek Elementary School Fairfax County Public Schools
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