Does the Water Hickory Bloom?

Identification

• Native to the southeastern U.S., the deciduous water hickory is winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. Its scientific name stems from the Latin word for nut -- “caryum” -- indicating the tree’s fruiting nut, similar to a pecan, and the word for water, indicating the tree’s habit of growing in wet soils and flooded areas. The water hickory is also known as the swamp hickory and the bitter pecan. In optimum growing conditions, it can reach heights of 60 to 70 feet.

Bloom Description

• Small, greenish flowers appear on the tree in spring, usually between April and May. Flowers are not perfect, meaning that the male and female parts are in separate blooms rather than in the same flower. While male flowers occur in clusters of three called “catkins,” female flowers grow on stalks with two to 10 flowers each. The pollen of these flowers, and of many of the hickory trees (Carya spp.) is often highly allergenic.

Fruit Description

• The fruit of the water hickory is more commonly described as a nut. It is small, brown and round, usually no more than 1 or 1½ inches long. Although water hickory is closely related to the pecan (Carya illinoinensis), which is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, the water hickory produces undesirable nuts. The name “bitter pecan” is in reference to the tree’s fruit, or nut, which is bitter in flavor. While humans will not enjoy them, however, the bitter nuts attract wildlife.

Culture and Uses

• The tree grows in full sunlight or partial shade. It is adapted to watery areas, such as stream banks and floodplains, and can therefore tolerate wet or soggy soil conditions. It appreciates well-drained soil, however. Because it has weak wood, it is not often used as a landscape tree, but plays an important role in purifying water that travels past it, and also provides habitat for small animals.