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Four Season Virtual Tree Trail

Station One - Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata

 

With its shaggy smoke-gray bark, the shagbark hickory is one of the most easily recognizable trees of the eastern forests.  A member of the Walnut family, it may grow to a height of 120 feet or more, and its trunk may be 20 to 30 inches in diameter.  It is found over much of the eastern United Sates.  Older trees may be up to 200 years old.

Habitat:  Shagbark hickories appear in a wide variety of habitats, from bottomland hardwoods to upland slopes such as this one.

 

 
Approaching Station One
   
 
  Shagbark Hickory Leaf

Identification:  Each leaf is composed of 5-7 leaflets.  The leaves are alternate, toothed and pinnately compound.  The leaves are smooth to lightly hairy above, and hairy below.  Total length of the leaves vary from 8 inches to 16 inches.  With a hand lens you can see fine hairs along the margins of the leaves (margins are ciliate), a characteristic that distinguishes Shagbark Hickories from all other hickories.  As the tree loses its leaves, you may be able to get a better look at the alternate branching on this species.  Although Hickories and Ashes have leaves that are similar, Hickories have alternate branching while Ashes have opposite branching.   You will get a chance to see the opposite branching of the ashes at Station Two.

 

   
 
Shagbark Hickory Bark

True to its name, the bark of the Shagbark Hickory is broken into shaggy scales that are attached to each other by their edges.  On large trees these scales can be over a foot long and six to eight inches wide.  The scales start to form when the tree's diameter is from 4 to eight inches.  Lichen is often seen on the scales, and on older trees the scales can be large enough that small animals can find shelter beneath them.  Some species of bats have been observed doing this, and treefrogs are said to use them as well.

 

The twigs of the Shagbark Hickory are stout and dark reddish brown with orange lenticels.  The leaf scars are heart-shaped.

   
 
  Fine Hairs on Leaflet Margins

 

Other Uses and Lore:  Hickory wood burns quite hot as firewood, and the fuel value of the wood is higher than any other American wood except locust.  The wood is also prized for smoking country hams and other meats.  General Andrew Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory” after one of his men said that he was “tough as hickory.”  Until a tornado destroyed them in 1998, six shagbark hickories stood as sentinels over Jackson’s grave at the Hermitage.

 

 

 

The Trail From Station One to Station Two

White-flowered Leafcup

From Station One, the trail continues to climb towards the northwest until you crest the ridge.  At this point the trail splits, and you will want to take the left fork.   Look along the sides of the trail for summer wildflower like the White-flowered Leafcup shown at right.  This wildflower is also called White Bear's Foot.  A short distance after you take the left fork of the trail, making a sharp left turn, you will arrive at Station Two on the left side of the trail.

 

   
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