Shellbark Hickory

Carya laciniosa

Juglandaceae · broadleaf deciduous tree · introduced

Last updated April 25, 2026

Quick Facts

Height

60–80 ft

Spread

40-60 ft

Growth Rate

Slow

Light

Part Shade

Soil

Wet Tolerant

Water

High

Hardiness

Zones 5a–8b

Bloom Time

April to May

Fall Color

Brown, yellow

Origin

from New York to southern Ontario and Iowa, south to

View full calendar (8 stages)

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Bloom start BBCH 61	Apr 1-Apr 30	First open flowers visible; flowers yellow
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Apr 15-May 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: brown
Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Fruit fully colored and ripened; seed dispersal may begin
Leaf drop BBCH 93	Oct 15-Nov 30	Leaves yellowing and dropping; no significant fall color display
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set

Data Maturity

Baseline Extension data. Expert review underway.