| The hickory tree is the common name for any | | | | made hickory wood a popular choice for such |
| of around seventeen different species of | | | | items as axe handles, wheel carts, and even |
| trees belonging to the genus "Carya." If you | | | | bows. One rather infamous use of hickory was |
| are considering it for your yard, here is an | | | | in the famous hickory paddles that were a |
| overview. | | | | standard in many homes and school rooms and |
| | | | used for punishment. Today, paddling with |
| There are about seventeen different species | | | | hickory switches or paddles is generally |
| of trees in the Carya genus. The name comes | | | | frowned on in society, but many older people |
| from the Greek work kary which means nuts. A | | | | have not so fond memories of hickory paddles. |
| dozen of these species are found in North | | | | |
| America and the remainder grow in Asia, | | | | Hickory wood has a very high caloric content. |
| mostly in China and Indochina. The fruit of | | | | This had made them a popular choice for |
| hickory trees are globular or oval nuts. The | | | | burning in wood stoves. Hickory wood is also |
| nuts are in two halves which split apart when | | | | the wood of choice for smoke curing of food. |
| the fruit germinates. Some of the nuts are | | | | Hickory smoke tends to add a distinct taste |
| well known foods for humans such as the | | | | to cooked foods and most barbeque cooks are |
| popular pecan. Here are some additional | | | | familiar with hickory smoked cooking. |
| hickory tree facts. | | | | |
| | | | One interesting fact about hickory trees is |
| Hickory trees have several insect pests that | | | | that they are not self-compatible. When used |
| get their primary food supply from them. Some | | | | with trees or flowering plants, it means that |
| of these pests are relatively harmless, but | | | | one tree can not pollinate itself. Nor can |
| others can damage trees especially if the | | | | trees from the same source or type cross |
| trees are subject to other stress. One small | | | | pollinate. A group of trees sharing a similar |
| insect lives out its rather complex life | | | | type is called a cultivar which is a coined |
| cycle on hickory trees. They form a small | | | | word that combines cultivated and variety. |
| cocoon like structure called a gall. The | | | | The fact that plants from the same cultivars |
| insect and the galls do no damage to the | | | | can not pollinate each other is of interest |
| tree, but squirrels appear to be inordinately | | | | to anyone attempting to raise hickories for |
| fond of the galls and dig into the trees to | | | | their nuts. This would include pecan tree |
| extract and eat them. This often causes | | | | growers. It is necessary to bring in some |
| damage to the branches. | | | | outside trees in order to complete |
| | | | pollination. |
| Hickory is a hard but flexible wood. This has | | | | |