Fauna
Plant

Pignut Hickory

Carya glabra

Also known as Smoothbark Hickory, Broom Hickory, Sweet Pignut, Swamp Hickory

Pignut hickory trees dominate dry ridges and moist woods across eastern North America, growing tall with a straight trunk and dense canopy. Their pinnately compound leaves flush bright green in spring before turning a brilliant butter-yellow each autumn. The characteristic pear-shaped nuts feature a thin husk that usually stays partially attached, providing crucial autumn fat for squirrels, turkeys, and black bears.

DeciduousHardwoodFall Foliage
Pignut Hickory reference1 / 7
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic
Predators
  • Hickory Bark Beetle
  • Eastern Grey Squirrel
  • White-Tailed Deer
ThreatsForest fragmentation, hickory bark beetle, habitat loss
HabitatsOak-hickory forests, dry upland ridges, moist hillsides
Life span200–300 years
Classification
  1. OrderFagales
  2. FamilyJuglandaceae
  3. GenusCarya
  4. SpeciesCarya glabra
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
Wild nuts have toxic look-alikes; never eat based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Leaf Identification: Look for pinnately compound leaves with five or rarely seven hairless leaflets.
  • Nut Recognition: Check for smooth pear-shaped nuts with husks that split only halfway.
  • Autumn Viewing: Visit oak-hickory woodlands in October to spot their rich yellow foliage.
Related species
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