Mockernut Hickory
Carya tomentosa
Family: Juglandaceae
Leaf Type: Deciduous
Mature Height: 15-21 m (50-70 ft)
Fall Color: Yellow
Native Range: Mockernut hickories are found throughout much of the Midwest and Southeast as well as parts of the Northeast.
Features
The leaves of mockernut hickories are compound with 7-9 leaflets. The entire leaf is around 13 inches long. The leaflets are each around 6 inches long and are rounder at the end than pignut or shagbark hickories. The leaves have a paler underleaf covered in botanical filaments, giving it a hairy appearance. The leafstalk also possesses these filaments. The fruit of all trees in the walnut family consist of nutritious nuts inside a hard outer husk or casing. Inside, the small nut is encased in a thick shell. The seed is one of the heaviest of all hickories. We recommend not sampling the fruits & nuts of the trees and plants here at Adventure Science Center.
Fun Facts
● Even though the fruit looks very large, the edible nut inside is actually quite small, hence the name mockernut.
● The wood is commonly used to smoke meats, especially hams.
Did you know that trees provide homes for animals, keep us cool and clean our air? Click here to learn more about the benefits that trees provide to us and our world.