Carya ovata aka Shagbark Hickory

Carya ovata, commonly known as the shagbark hickory, is a large, deciduous tree native to the Eastern United States and southeast Canada. This tree can grow well over 100 ft (30 m) tall and has a lifespan of more than 350 years. The tallest recorded shagbark hickory, located in Savage Gulf, Tennessee, stands at over 150 ft (46 m) tall. The mature shagbarks are easily recognizable due to their shaggy bark, while young specimens have smooth bark. The leaves of the shagbark hickory are pinnate, measuring 30–60 cm (12–24 in) in length, with five leaflets, although sometimes three or seven leaflets can be found. The terminal three leaflets are much larger than the basal pair. In the spring, the tree produces staminate flowers on long-stalked catkins and pistillate flowers in short terminal spikes. The fruit is a drupe, 2.5 to 4.0 cm (1 to 1+1⁄2 in) long, with an edible nut encased in a thick, green husk that splits off in the fall. The shagbark hickory nut has a sweet taste and was a significant food source for the Algonquins. Various animals, including squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, and birds, consume the hickory nuts. There are two varieties of Carya ovata: var. ovata, also known as the northern shagbark hickory, which has larger leaflets and longer nuts, and var. australis, or the southern shagbark hickory, which has smaller leaflets and shorter nuts. The southern shagbark hickory is sometimes considered a separate species, known as Carya carolinae-septentrionalis. This tree has a conical shape and peeling gray to brown bark, adding to its ornamental appeal. Its large leaves turn golden yellow in the autumn, and it produces thick-shelled nuts that are edible when ripe, measuring up to 6 cm long. The shagbark hickory is valued for its hard wood, which is used in various applications such as tool handles, furniture, and even as a fuel source. The tree's tough character is also recognized in the nickname of Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the U.S., who was known as "Old Hickory."