Chemical Properties
It is a gray tree of the walnut family, native exclusively to North America. Hickory is a large, strong tree, 18 to 24 m
(60 to 80 ft) high, with close, shaggy bark. It has large pinnately divided leaves, pistillate and staminate flowers and drooping aments.
The fruit is a thick-shelled nut in a tough, green husk. Various species are known: C. ovata, shagbark hickory, yielding sweeter and
better nuts; C. laciniosa, kingnut or shellbark; C. tomentosa, mockernut, having tough wood; and C. glabra, pignut, having bitter,
astringent nuts.
