bitternut

Also known as: bitternut hickory; North American bitternut; swamp hickory; white hickory

A spreading, deciduous tree eventually reaching up to 25m tall. Large, dark green leaves up to 30cm long open from yellow winter buds and are divided into oval or oblong leaflets- usually seven but sometimes five or nine. Yellow-green spring flowers are followed by rounded or pear-shaped nuts 2-4cm long with an edible but bitter nut

Scientific classification

Species: bitternut (Carya cordiformis)
Genus: Carya
Family: Juglandaceae

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Toxicity: Trees
Plant type: Higher than 12 metres
Height: wider than 8 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Information to be completed
Habit: Autumn · Spring · Summer
Season of interest: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

bitternut pictures

Distribution of bitternut

Distribution map

Northeastern US

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of bitternut

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bitternut care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Full sun · Partial shade
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Remove diseased, damaged, crowded or crossing shoots and unwanted growth. Timing depends on the plant: generally late winter or early spring; plants prone to bleeding and deciduous magnolias need different timing, and deciduous azaleas and lilacs are pruned after flowering.