Common Name: Water Hickory

General Information

Carya aquatica is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 46 metres tall, though it is more likely to be around 33 metres with a bole around 30cm in diameter and clear of branches for 16 metres[].
Unlike many species in the genus, Carya aquatica does not produce a good quality edible seed (it is very bitter) and is little eaten other than by birds and rodents.The wood is of lower quality and mainly used for fuel[]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental.
Carya aquatica has a large, stable population and broad geographic range with no major threats..The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central southern and south-eastern N. America - Texas, Oklahoma and Illinois, east to Florida and Virginia

Habitat

Most common in bottomlands and swamps, in ground that is often inundated for at least part of the year, though the best specimens grow on deep well-drained alluvial soils; at elevations up to 200 metres[, , ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Carya aquatica grows in a warm, humid temperate climate throughout its range. The average annual precipitation varies from 1,020 - 1,520 mm, with around 50% of that faling in the growing season. The mean January temperature is 2 - 16°c; mean July temperature, about 27°c; with an average frost-free period of 200 - 300 days[].
Prefers a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development[, , , ].
A slow growing tree[], it does not begin bearing seed until more than 20 years old[].
The tree sprouts freely both from the roots and the stump if it is cut down[].
Most species in this genus have quite a wide range of distribution and, in order to find trees more suited to this country, seed from the most appropriate provenances should be sought[]. Most trees growing in Britain at present tend to only produce good seed after hot summers[].
Carya aquatica hybridizes with Carya illinoinensis ( Carya × lecontei Little) and is reported to hybridize with the tetraploid Carya texana [ Carya × ludoviciana (Ashe) Little][].
Unlike most species in this genus, Carya aquatica loses its taproot when young and can be transplanted[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Trees are self-fertile but larger crops of better quality seeds are produced if cross-pollination takes place[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked. Astringent[]. The seed is up to 35mm long, it is produced in clusters of 3 - 4 and has a thin shell, but the kernel is very bitter[, , ]. The seed ripens in late autumn and, when stored in its shell in a cool place, will keep for at least 6 months[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is a major component of wetland forests in its native range, where it is considered important in cleansing drainage waters[].
Trees are late coming into leaf (usually in late spring to early summer) and they lose their leaves early in the autumn (usually in October)[]. Whilst in leaf they cast a heavy shade. These factors combine to make the trees eminently suitable for a mixed woodland planting with shrubs and other trees beneath them[].

Other Uses

Wood - heavy and close grained but soft and brittle, which limits its use[, ]. It weighs 46lb per cubic foot and is used mainly in fencing and as a fuel, where it yields considerably more heat than most woods[, ].

Propagation

Seed - requires a period of cold stratification. It is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[]. Stored seed should be kept moist (but not wet) prior to sowing and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as possible[]. Where possible, sow 1 or 2 seeds only in each deep pot and thin to the best seedling. If you need to transplant the seedlings, then do this as soon as they are large enough to handle, once more using deep pots to accommodate the tap root. Put the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, preferably in their first summer, and give them some protection from the cold for at least the first winter[, ]. Seed can also be sown in situ so long as protection is given from mice etc and the seed is given some protection from cold[] (a plastic bottle with the top and bottom removed and a wire mesh top fitted to keep the mice out is ideal)