We love gathering the delicious nuts of the Shagbark Hickory in the fall, and enjoy the nuts all winter long in seasonal dishes like roasted root vegetables, and baked goods.
Shagbarks are commonly found in association with oak trees, and these are the dominant species in our forest.
Hickory wood is hard, strong, tough and elastic, and is used for wood floors, tool handles for tools, and baseball bats. The wood also makes excellent firewood, and often is used in smoking meat.
Squirrels are extremely fond of the fruit of the hickory, and we humans also use the delicious nuts in baked goods, cookies, cakes, salads, and game dishes. Hickory nuts are tough to crack, but worth the effort!
To plant, stratify (refrigerate) over the winter, and then plant 2-3" deep in good, well drained soil in the spring. Water well. For a hardwood, hickories are fast-growing and will produce nuts in just a few years.
Our garden seeds, yarns, and nuts make perfect gifts in synergy with our shared goals of environmental protection, sustainability, and food security.
Consider our wide range of heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower seeds as holiday gifts this year ~ grow your own and promote genetic diversity!