Common Name: Chinese Hickory

General Information

Carya cathayensis is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It has been cultivated as a nut crop for 500 years or more in China and is often sold in local markets there[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southeast China - Anhui, S Guizhou, Jiangxi, Zhejiang..

Habitat

Narrow moist valleys and the foot of mountains[]. Forests on mountain slopes, valleys, and riverbanks; at elevations from 400 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	18.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Carya cathayensis is intolerant of much frost[]. Another report says that plants succeeds in climatic zone 6, which suggests that they should tolerate temperatures down to about -15 and -20°c[].
Prefers a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development[, , , ]. Slow growing[]. Dislikes wind exposure[].
Plants are strongly tap-rooted and should be planted in their permanent positions as soon as possible[, ]. Sowing in situ would be the best method so long as the seed could be protected from mice[, ].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Most species in this genus have quite a wide range of distribution and, in order to find trees more suited to specific climates, 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[].
Trees are self-fertile but larger crops of better quality seeds are produced if cross-pollination takes place[]. Plants can also produce seed apomictically, each seed thus produced being a clone of the parent[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, , , ]. Rich in oil[]. it has a sweet flavour and is highly esteemed by the Chinese[]. The seed ripens in late autumn and, when stored in its shell in a cool place, will keep for at least 6 months[].

An edible oil is obtained from the seed. It is used especially in making fancy pastries[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

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 - hard, tough, elastic. Used for tool handles etc[, , ].
A very good fuel, burning well and giving off a lot of heat.

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)