Common Name: Sand Hickory

General Information

Carya pallida is a deciduous tree with a long, narrow crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall with a trunk up to 120cm in diameter[]..
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.
Carya pallida has an expansive native range, a stable population and has 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

Eastern and central southern N. America - Missouri. Illinois, Indiana and New Jersey, south to Louisiana and Florida

Habitat

Well-drained sandy or rocky soils on bluffs, ridges, rolling hills, and dry woods; at elevations up to 500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development[, , , ]. Slow growing[].
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 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[].
Trees are self-fertile but larger crops of better quality seeds are produced if cross-pollination takes place[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[, ]. Rather thin-shelled, the seed is small and sweet[, ]. The seed is up to 3cm long[]. The seed ripens in late autumn and, when stored in its shell in a cool place, will keep for at least 6 months[].

Medicinal

The inner bark is astringent and detergent[]. It has been used as a dressing for cuts and has been chewed to treat sore mouths[].

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 - heavy, hard, tough. Used for tool handles etc[].
A good fuel, burning well and giving off a good 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)