Carya aquatica

• BOTANICAL NAME: Carya aquatica
• COMMON NAME: Water Hickory
• FAMILY: Juglandaceae
• NATIVITY: Virginia to Florida to Texas; South
• GROWTH HABIT: 60-80’
• HARDINESS:  USDA Zone 6 to 9
• OPTIMUM GROWING CONDITIONS:  Moist, wet plains.  Found in old growth forests.
• SUCCESSIONAL STATUS:  Climax
• FACULTATIVE STATUS:  Obligate
• LANDSCAPE VALUE:  Tall, native species, that grow well in swamps.
• FOLIAGE:   Narrow leaflets, usually 9 to 11, all relatively same size.  Long, lanceolate, serrated.  Turns yellow-green in the fall.
• BUDS:  Valvate, terminal buds are dark reddish brown.
• BARK:  Light brown, splitting to dark brown.
• FRUIT:  Hard nuts encased in a four-valved husk.  Attractive to wildlife.
• PESTS:  None serious.