tree
Bitternut hickory
Carya cordiformis
Low riskNot foodcommon
Sulfur-yellow buds, tight bark, bitter nuts. Smoke wood, not table nuts.
Smoothish tight bark, compound leaves with 7–9 leaflets, and bright yellow buds in winter. Nuts are thin-shelled and harshly bitter.
- Habitat
- Moist woods and lower slopes.
- Season
- Year-round by yellow buds.
- Size
- 60–80 ft
- Field marks
- Mustard-yellow buds; bitter kernel
Use
Smoking wood and firewood. Do not waste hours cracking them for food.