Tree of the Week - Shagbark Hickory

Following up on the posting about squirrel hunting, I figured we'll look at the shagbark hickory, which is, like acorns, one of their favorite foods. Shagbark hickory is a slow growing tree; reaching a d.b.h. of only 10 inches after 80 years of growth, that is a prolific producer of sweet hickory nuts. The nuts are not only consumed by squirrels, but are also part of the diet of virtually all game species from bear to waterfowl, making the trees valuable as wildlife mast. However, this about their only value; considering it's slow growth rate and low value ($55/MBF), it isn't suitable for timber production, although it is one of the strongest woods in the eastern United States.

Because of its lack of commercial value, the land manager needs to determine if the non-economic value of the tree. If the land manager deems the mast to be valuable to wildlife; the trees should then be managed for nut production like other trees; ie. releasing the trees to create large canopies capable of substantial nut production. If the manager decides the trees should be removed, because the trees are slow growers and only bear nuts after 40 years, with largest yields at 60-200 years, managers need to be sure that they want to remove the trees. The only situation in which the trees should be removed would be if there is enough mast production that the removal of the trees will not reduce the food availability. Similarly, the trees should only be removed if they are hindering the growth of higher value timber species.

Otherwise, the trees are doing little to hinder the value of the property and are contributing to the mast production. This, of course, applies to small volumes of hickory trees. If there are large volumes; the removal of the hickory once it reaches commercial value and subsequent replanting of oak, black cherry or other high value mast producers may be the best bet. Of course, this is only if the soil and topography support the replacement species; as hickory is widely adapted, from clay to well-drained soil, in bottom lands, as well as on higher terrains, meaning that other mast producers may not grow as well on the land. Thus, the land manager would need to decide between the mast production versus other higher value, non-mast producing timber species that would grow on the land.

Because of its low commercial value, I am not going to cover the planting and management of seedlings; as, by far, oaks are a much better choice as an all-around tree; with high value and moderate to fast growth.

Overall, hickory is a great mast producer and a strong wood, but is not a great money-maker.

Timber Rating: D

Mast Rating: A-

Overall Rating: C