Shagbark Hickory
Long bark strips lift away from an old trunk, creating both the tree’s name and summer roost crevices for bats.
Artwork inspired by Mildred Pelzer
Most leaves carry five leaflets, with the terminal three largest. Sweet nuts feed wildlife and people, though hard shells demand effort; young trunks remain smooth enough that crown, buds, and leaves may be more useful than bark.
Collect nuts only with permission and never confuse a planted ornamental hickory with evidence of a natural woodland population. Give Shagbark Hickory room to remain undisturbed. Photograph mature hickory with long loose bark plates, five leaflets, and thick-husked nuts with its surroundings, and leave nests, dens, host plants, bark, and flowers as found. Best spring–autumn; nuts in fall.
- Best clue
- Mature hickory with long loose bark plates, five leaflets, and thick-husked nuts
- Habitat
- upland hardwood forest, savanna edges, and rich slopes
- Regional status
- Native regional species
Quick guide
- Look
- Long shaggy bark plates
- Confirm
- Usually five leaflets
Confirm Shagbark Hickory in habitat
- Crown and bark
- Begin with mature hickory with long loose bark plates, five leaflets, and thick-husked nuts when identifying Shagbark Hickory.
- Leaf, bud, or fruit
- Look for wildlife roost crevices together with usually five leaflets before accepting the identification.
- Site agreement
- Use upland hardwood forest, savanna edges, and rich slopes in Iowa, United States as habitat context and check Best spring–autumn; nuts in fall.
- Record without damage
- Photograph mature hickory with long loose bark plates, five leaflets, and thick-husked nuts together with the surrounding habitat.
Good to know
Young shagbark hickories can have smooth trunks, so five-leaflet foliage, buds, nuts, and crown form may identify them before the famous peeling bark develops.
Notice these
- Long shaggy bark plates
- Usually five leaflets
- Thick-husked sweet nuts
- Wildlife roost crevices