This is the Shellbark Hickory, scientific name Carya laciniosa, also known as the Bigleaf Shagbark and Kingnut. This impressive tree can grow up to 120 feet tall and has large leaves up to 2 feet long, with 7 to 9 serrated leaflets. The leaves are dark green in the summer, turning a golden yellow in the fall. The Shellbark Hickory is similar to the Shagbark Hickory but is much less common, particularly in the Midwest due to its need for moisture. The mature bark consists of thick, shaggy plates that tend to be straight rather than curled like the Shagbark Hickory. This slow-growing, long-lived tree can reach up to 300 years old. It produces the largest fruit of any native hickory, often likened to a small apple when the husk is intact. The nut is flattened, ribbed, and ripens in the fall with a sweet taste, making it a notable feature of this tree.
