Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis) is a native tree in Maryland (Deciduous). The sections below summarize where it grows, how to recognize it, and how it supports local ecosystems.
Habitat and range
Mixed hardwood forests, rich slopes, and bottomland edges; common associate of oak and maple.
Identification
Sulfur-yellow buds distinctive in winter; seven to nine narrow leaflets; small nuts with thin husk and very bitter kernel.
Soil and moisture
Moist, fertile, well-drained soils; tolerates occasional wet periods better than some hickories.
Wildlife value
Nuts eaten by wildlife that cache mast; foliage supports many insects for breeding birds.
Uses and significance
Strong, shock-resistant wood for tool handles; useful in naturalized plantings on good soils.