Carya pallida aka Sand Hickory

Carya pallida is known as sand hickory or pale hickory. This deciduous tree belongs to the walnut family, Juglandaceae. It grows in the eastern and southeastern United States. Its range includes southern Illinois, and it occurs throughout North Carolina. There, it grows in the coastal Sandhills and other regions. Wild trees grow in woods with dry sand or gravel.

The tree grows slowly and forms a straight trunk. Its dense crown casts deep shade when leaves are present. Lower limbs may droop toward the ground. Virginia Tech gives a height of 80 feet [24.4 m]. NC State reports trees reaching 100 feet [30.5 m]. Young trees have smooth, gray bark. Age brings deep grooves and scaly ridges with diamond shapes. Brown twigs bear pale lenticels, which are small surface pores. The oval buds have hairs and silver scales.

The green leaves grow in an alternate pattern along branches. Each pinnate leaf has five to nine leaflets. These range from lance-shaped to oval, with toothed edges. Their pale undersides bear fine hairs and silver scales. The leaves feel rough and have a spicy scent. Leaves emerge late and fall early in autumn. Male and female flowers grow on the same tree. Flowers appear from March to May. Male flowers form catkins; female flowers cluster at branch tips. The nuts range from round to pear-shaped. They turn from yellow to dark brown as they mature. Birds, squirrels, and other small mammals eat the fruit.

In gardens, sand hickory prefers full sun and shelter. Deep loam that holds moisture suits it well. The soil should drain freely, though it tolerates occasional dryness. NC State also lists sand and clay as suitable soils. It accepts acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Its listed hardiness covers USDA zones 5 through 9. A strong taproot makes moving established plants difficult. Plant young trees where they can stay. Seed offers a means of propagation. The tree suits shade planting and mixed woodland settings. The fungus Microstroma juglandis can cause downy leaf spot.

The small, sweet seeds are edible raw or cooked. Their shells are thin, and the crop ripens in autumn. Cool storage in the shell can preserve seeds for six months. PFAF lists no known hazards, but gives no specific pet-safety assessment. The hard, heavy wood serves for tool handles and fuel. PFAF records past use of inner bark for cuts and sore mouths.