Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Water Hickory (Carya aquatica)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Juglandales>Juglandaceae>Carya aquatica (Michx. f.) Nutt.

Water Hickory (Carya aquatica)

Water Hickory is a fairly common large tree of wet bottomland forests in the Coastal Plain. They tend to have more leaflets (9-11) than the similar Bitternut Hickory (7-9 leaflets) and lack Bitternut's yellow buds.

Columbus Co., NC 7/19/03.

Water Hickory (Carya aquatica)

The leaves also tend to be a little more strongly curved (falcate).

The Sand Hickory also has 9 leaflets but has yellowish buds, grows in dry habitats, has silvery leaf undersides, and spicily fragrant leaves.

Greenville, NC 11/6/05.

Water Hickory (Carya aquatica)

The nuts are flattened.

Greenville, NC 11/6/05.

Water Hickory (Carya aquatica)

The bark tends to be a little shaggy.

More information:
US Forest Service Silvics Manual

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides