The shaggy, brownish-gray bark of the Audubon native Shellbark Hickory and four native birds that benefit from the native Shellbark Hickory
A closeup of the native Shellbark Hickory peeling brownish-gray bark
A map highlighting the locations where the Shellbark Hickory can be found natively growing
A Blue Jay sitting on an evergreen branch as it snows
A Blue Jay sitting on an evergreen branch as it snows
Downy Woodpecker perched on a tree
Red Bellied Woodpecker sitting on a wooden beam in the snow
The shaggy, brownish-gray bark of the Audubon native Shellbark Hickory and four native birds that benefit from the native Shellbark Hickory
A closeup of the native Shellbark Hickory peeling brownish-gray bark
A map highlighting the locations where the Shellbark Hickory can be found natively growing
A Blue Jay sitting on an evergreen branch as it snows
A Blue Jay sitting on an evergreen branch as it snows
Downy Woodpecker perched on a tree
Red Bellied Woodpecker sitting on a wooden beam in the snow

Audubon® Native Shellbark Hickory Treeling

Bower & Branch Trees and Plants

Audubon® Plants for Birds:Carya laciniosa

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This plant is not available at this time through Bower & Branch. We provide this plant profile for reference only. 

See below for alternative selections for purchase and inspiration!

THE MOST HANDSOME AND RUGGEDLY ELEGANT WILDLIFE OASIS

FEATURES:

  • May Benefit & Attract: Thrushes, waxwings, wood warblers, finches, mockingbirds & thrashers, chickadees & titmice, orioles, cardinals & grosbeaks, crows & jays, sparrows, nuthatches, vireos, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and wrens
  • Beautiful, rugged bark gives off a uniquely elegant feel
  • Dark green foliage turns to a bright yellow or warm golden brown in the fall
  • Produces the largest fruit out of all hickory trees
  • The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow
  • This bird-friendly native trees provides food and shelter for local and migrating birds and other wildlife
  • All Audubon® branded trees are grown 100% Neonic-free by Bower & Branch, making these plants safer for the birds and safer for the environment
  • Hand Selected, Fresh from the Grower
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Growth Facts

  • Hardiness Zone: 5-8
  • Mature Height: 60-80' tall
  • Mature Width: 30-40' wide
  • Exposure: Full Sun
  • Spacing: 30-40' apart

Why plant Audubon® Native Shellbark Hickory Treeling?

The large, sturdy, long-lived and ruggedly handsome Shellbark Hickory will be a key component of your backyard bird habitat. This noble native shade tree attracts a wealth of caterpillars and other insects that songbirds love. Birds will come to feed, and they’ll also bring some nourishment back to their young—insect protein is vitally important to developing chicks. In time, your Shellbark Hickory will start to produce crops of big, sweet nuts, which jays and woodpeckers relish. Smaller birds, finding the nuts tough to crack, will find plenty to eat among the scraps dropped by squirrels. Oh, and you’ll find the nuts delicious, too!

Shellbark Hickory was once a familiar sight along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. It grew tall and proud on the floodplains there, nourishing people and wildlife, creating shade, stabilizing the soil, and preventing erosion. Then, the pioneers came and cut those old giants to the ground. As the floodplain soil was considered prime farmland, the trees had to go. They soon became ax handles, wagon wheel hubs, furniture, and firewood. Few mature trees remain but you can help revive this magnificent species by planting Shellbark Hickory on your own property. Let it rise to glory once more!

How to use Audubon® Native Shellbark Hickory Treeling in the landscape?

Have you even found one of those bizarre walking stick insects? They use Shellbark Hickory as a host plant! The royal walnut moth is another interesting insect that lays its eggs on Hickories. Its wingspan can be six inches wide.

Planting Zones

Hardiness Zone: 5-8

How To Plant Audubon® Native Shellbark Hickory Treeling

Just as Shellbark Hickory appreciates low, fertile plains in the wild, it favors deep, rich, moist soil in the home landscape, too. It will even tolerate seasonal flooding. A site with all-day sun is best—this tree will survive in part shade, but growth will be slower there, and even under the best of circumstances, Hickories do not grow fast. Eventually, it will get quite large, so be sure to give your tree plenty of room. Keep it away from patios and pools, where falling nuts may be a hassle.

How To Water

The Shellbark Hickory will appreciate regular water during its first few years in the ground and irrigation during long dry spells after it’s established.

How To Fertilize

Incorporate Elements Starter Plant food granular form into the soil when planting. If planting in spring or summer, start fertilizing late fall using Elements Starter Plant food granular form on an annual basis each late fall. Continue this for the first three years to get your plant well established.

How To Prune

Shellbark Hickories don't typically require pruning. However, it may be necessary to remove damaged, weak branches - so it would be best to do so in winter, when the tree is dormant.


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