HICKORY PRODUCTION
In 2010, in spite of the severe drought, as an experiment we harvested for markets, four bushels of the wonderful nuts that these trees produce. All of them sold. We also began producing Shagbark Hickory syrup from the bark these trees shed. We sold out by autumn. 2011 was a very interesting year as it was the wettest year ever in our region. Our trees did not produce one nut, we assume it was because all of the rain in the spring. We keep a log of conditions and results, so it will be an interesting journal for us to follow. However, since the Shagbark tree drops bark all year, we were able to produce Shagbark Hickory syrup and were able to keep up with demand.

On our farm we have three varieties growing, but harvest only the shagbark hickory roghtnow. Read about our hickory products here.

SHAGBARK HICKORY trees are some of the prettiest trees I know. On our farm there are more than forty of these trees, many well over twenty years old. They are unique in the hardwood forest and standout because of their "shaggy" trunks.

Classification: Carya ovata (shagbark hickory): occurring in pairs or solitary; large, slightly longer than wide, 3 to 5 cm long; the dark brown to black, moderately thick husk splitting freely to the base when ripe; nut longer than wide, flattened, usually four angled, light-colored, with a thin shell; kernel sweet. It grows well in both wet and dry areas, but prefers well-drained soils. It is a slow-growing long-living tree. The nuts, largest of all hickory nuts, are sweet and edible and produce seedling trees readily. The wood is hard, heavy, strong, and very flexible, making it a favored wood for tool handles.

SHELLBARK HICKORY. Growing right along with the shagbarks are shellbark hickory trees. This deciduous tree is similar to that of the Shagbark Hickory, but often not quite as shaggy. This tree and it prefers wet, fertile bottomland and I found them growing by our pond and the streams that feed the pond. Like other hickories, it is very tolerant of summer drought.

Classification: Carya laciniosa (shellbark hickory or kingnut hickory): the largest of any hickory [in the area], 4.5 to 6.5 cm long and 3.8 cm broad, occurring singly or in pairs; thick husk splitting readily into segments when ripe; nut flattened, ridged; shell very thick and hard; kernel sweet.

PIGNUT HICKORY. We have pignut hickory trees as well. This tree has medium green broad, flat leaves and firm, gray bark. These aslo grow in our forest. The bark has a diamond pattern. This tree grows well in fairly rich, well drained to dry soils. It occurs with other hickories and with oaks, characteristically on hillsides and ridges. The nuts of this particular hickory, are bitter and scarcely edible.

Classification: Carya glabra (pignut hickory): approximately 2.5 cm long and 2 cm wide, pear-shaped (narrows at the base); husk thin, dark brown, only slightly splitting into segments if at all; nuts broadest near the apex, narrowed at the base; thick shell; kernel insipid or bitter.