Carya laciniosa

Koningsnoot / Shellbark hickory

Juglandaceae (Okkernootfamilie)

Edible plant part (2)

Nuts, sap
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Shellbark hickory belongs to the canopy layer in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a late species. The growth rate is medium. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 15 to 35 meter. and a width of 10 to 25 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is half-open. The Shellbark hickory is decidious. It buds in may.
This species forms a taproot deep root system. This species is non spreading in the food forest. Shellbark hickory is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Dan Mullen, https://www.flickr.com/photos/8583446@N05/3960217777

foto: Dan Mullen, https://www.flickr.com/photos/8583446@N05/3960217777

foto: Agnieszka Kwiecień, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carya_laciniosa_Orzesznik_siedmiolistkowy_2019-06-01_04.jpg

foto: Plant Image Library, https://www.flickr.com/photos/138014579@N08/36657516545

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early may, mid may, end of may, end of june
Flowering period (length): several weeks
Pollination vector: wind
Plant reproductive fertility: partially self-fertile, self sterile, varies per cultivar
Maximum distance for cross pollination: 50 - 100 metre

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

very resistant

Main serious pests and diseases

yet unknown

Harvest and Consumption

Nuts

Sap

Harvest location edible part: Ground layer
Harvesting period - start: Early october, mid october, end of october
Harvesting period - length: Several weeks
Harvesting period - uniformity: Medium
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand, simple tool
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Year
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 20
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 12
Productive life span - start (year) - maximum: 40
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 30

Form of consumption: Fresh
Natural storability: Year
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 5
Productive life span - start (year) - maximum: 7

Culinary appreciation

Exceptionally high value, a delicious nut, sweeter than a pecan.

References