(Carya laciniosa)
North America’s largest nut! Shellback hickory aka Kingnut hickory trees are similar in appearance to shagbark hickory, but produce nuts 2-3x the size with a the same sweet buttery flavor. Thick shells protect delicious nuts that drop in early fall, reminiscent of pecan, another close relative.
Seed nuts will be shipped/ready for pickup in early spring, pre-stratified. Store in refrigerator until ready to seed.
Flavor profile: Buttery, light, maple-y, slightly fruity
Hardiness zone: 5-8
Light: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Adaptable, moist to well-drained fertile soils with pH 6-7.5
Mature height: 60-80’
Spacing: 40-50’
Pollination: At least 2 trees required for pollination. Shellback can also cross pollinate with other nearby hickories like shagbark and pecan, creating hybrids.
Growing tips: Stratified seed should be sown in deep pots that will air prune tap roots, air prune beds, or in their final location. Hickory trees produce large tap roots and can experience years-long transplant shock if the tap root is damaged, so grow in a way that will avoid this in the future.
We are unable to ship this product outside the contiguous US or to California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
All Winter ‘25-’26 orders will be shipped or available for pick up in March-April ‘26.
(Carya laciniosa)
North America’s largest nut! Shellback hickory aka Kingnut hickory trees are similar in appearance to shagbark hickory, but produce nuts 2-3x the size with a the same sweet buttery flavor. Thick shells protect delicious nuts that drop in early fall, reminiscent of pecan, another close relative.
Seed nuts will be shipped/ready for pickup in early spring, pre-stratified. Store in refrigerator until ready to seed.
Flavor profile: Buttery, light, maple-y, slightly fruity
Hardiness zone: 5-8
Light: Part shade to full sun
Soil: Adaptable, moist to well-drained fertile soils with pH 6-7.5
Mature height: 60-80’
Spacing: 40-50’
Pollination: At least 2 trees required for pollination. Shellback can also cross pollinate with other nearby hickories like shagbark and pecan, creating hybrids.
Growing tips: Stratified seed should be sown in deep pots that will air prune tap roots, air prune beds, or in their final location. Hickory trees produce large tap roots and can experience years-long transplant shock if the tap root is damaged, so grow in a way that will avoid this in the future.
We are unable to ship this product outside the contiguous US or to California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
All Winter ‘25-’26 orders will be shipped or available for pick up in March-April ‘26.
