Shagbark Hickory

Carya ovata

Illustration: Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) nuts and shaggy bark

Identification: Unmistakable bark: long vertical plates that peel away from the trunk at top and bottom ('shaggy'). Pinnate leaves of 5 (sometimes 7) leaflets. Round nuts in thick 4-parted husks that split open when ripe.

Dangerous look-alikes: Bitternut hickory (C. cordiformis) — bitter inedible nuts, tighter bark. Mockernut — edible but harder to crack.

Edible parts: Nuts.

Season and habitat: Fall. Upland woods, old pastures.

Preparation: Gather split husks from the ground, discard any with holes. Crack and pick meats — sweet, among the best wild nuts. Also excellent smoked or in baking.