Carya cordiformis
| Carya cordiformis | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 82' |
| Width: | 49' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Carya cordiformis (common name: bitternut)
Propagation: Seed - requires a period of cold stratification. It is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe[1]. Stored seed should be kept moist (but not wet) prior to sowing and should be sown in a cold frame as soon as possible[1]. Where possible, sow 1 or 2 seeds only in each deep pot and thin to the best seedling. If you need to transplant the seedlings, then do this as soon as they are large enough to handle, once more using deep pots to accommodate the tap root. Put the plants into their permanent positions as soon as possible, preferably in their first summer, and give them some protection from the cold for at least the first winter[1][K]. Seed can also be sown in situ so long as protection is given from mice etc and the seed is given some protection from cold[2] (a plastic bottle with the top and bottom removed and a wire mesh top fitted to keep the mice out is ideal)
Cultivation: Prefers a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development[3][4][5][2]. Slow growing[2].
This is the hardiest and best growing member of this genus in Britain[6], unfortunately the seed is bitter[7].
Hybridizes in the wild with C. illinoensis[8]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[2].
Plants are strongly tap-rooted and should be planted in their permanent positions as soon as possible[3][5]. Sowing in situ would be the best method so long as the seed could be protected from mice[3][2].
Trees are late coming into leaf (usually late May to June) and lose their leaves early in the autumn (usually in October)[5]. During this time they cast a heavy shade. These factors combine to make the trees eminently suitable for a mixed woodland planting with shrubs and other trees beneath them[5].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Most species in this genus have quite a wide range of distribution and, in order to find trees more suited to this country, seed from the most appropriate provenances should be sought[5]. Most trees growing in Britain at present tend to only produce good seed after hot summers[5].
Trees are self-fertile but larger crops of better quality seeds are produced if cross-pollination takes place[9].
Range: Eastern N. America - Maine to Quebec and south to Florida.
Habitat: Low wet to dry woods, stream banks and borders of swamps[8][7], tolerating a range of soils[9].
Edibility: Seed - raw or cooked[10][11]. Thin shelled but bitter and astringent[7][12]. Even squirrels tend to pass it over[13]. The seed is about 3cm long[9]. The seed ripens in late autumn and, when stored in its shell in a cool place, will keep for at least 6 months[K].
Medicinal: The oil from the seeds has been used in the treatment of rheumatism[13].
The bark is diuretic and laxative[14].
Usage: An oil expressed from the seeds has been used as an illuminant in oil lamps[9].
Often used as a potted stock for grafting varieties of pecans (C. illinoensis)[15].
Wood - heavy, very hard, strong, elastic, tough, close grained[7][15][9]. It weighs 47lb per cubic foot[15]. Although the wood tends to be brittle, it has an amazing quality of shock-resistance and is used for hoops, tool handles etc, though it is considered to be inferior to other hickories[7][15][9]. A very good fuel, burning well and giving off a lot of heat[9].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Early Summer-Mid Fall
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Howes, Frank. Nuts. Faber, 1948.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Royal Horticultural Society. The Plantsman Vol. 9. 1986 - 1987. Royal Horticultural Society, 1986.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Sargent, Charles. Manual of the Trees of North America. Dover, 1965.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Lauriault, Jean. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada. Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1989.
- ↑ Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Vines, Robert. Trees of North Texas. University of Texas Press, 1982.