Fauna
Plant

Bitternut Hickory

Carya cordiformis

Also known as Yellowbud Hickory, Bitternut, Swamp Hickory

Bitternut hickory stands out in winter forests by its bright sulfur-yellow, naked buds that cap slender twigs. Unlike its rough-barked kin, it displays tight, shallowly furrowed gray bark that forms a delicate diamond pattern even into maturity. Squirrels and small rodents readily harvest the thin-shelled, bitter nuts, while dozens of native moth caterpillars rely on its compound foliage throughout the summer.

DeciduousHardwoodNative Tree
Bitternut Hickory reference
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Hickory bark beetle
  • Walnut caterpillar
  • Eastern gray squirrel
ThreatsHickory bark beetle outbreaks, habitat clearance, and fungal cankers
HabitatsMoist bottomlands, floodplain forests, riverbanks, and rich upland woods
Life span150–200 years
Classification
  1. OrderFagales
  2. FamilyJuglandaceae
  3. GenusCarya
  4. SpeciesCarya cordiformis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Winter Identification: Look for the distinct sulfur-yellow, valvate buds that lack protective bud scales.
  • Fruit Recognition: Examine the small, four-winged husk splitting halfway to release a bitter, smooth nut.
  • Habitat Clues: Search along moist floodplains and stream terraces where it reaches its greatest abundance.
Related species
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