Shagbark Hickory plant profile
Carya ovata
A perennial fruit for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Shagbark Hickory
NC State Extension notes the shagbark hickory has a deep taproot that makes it difficult to transplant, so it is best established young. It gives no planting date; set out dormant bare-root stock in early spring while the soil is workable.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Shagbark Hickory in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 600 to 840 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 4a to 8bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: slow to bear up to 40 years, hickory bark beetle, pecan weevil, twig girdler, messy leaf and nut litter.
Next steps
Continue with Shagbark Hickory
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Carya ovata (Shagbark Hickory)
NC State Extension. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.