Sand Hickory – Carya pallida

Grows 30-75 ft tall, 2 ft in diameter. Nuts are small, husks narrowed at base and depressed at apex. 7-9 long-pointed leaflets, silvery on underside; round nuts in oval husks. Bark is dark gray or blackish, becomes rough and deeply furrowed. Flowers are tiny, greenish, and appear in early spring before leaves. Fruit is elliptical or round; thin husk hairy and covered with yellow scales, splitting late on 2-4 lines. Hickory nut rounded, whitish, ridged, slightly thick-shelled, with small edible seed.

Habitat: Dry sandy and rocky soils on plains and mountain valleys; in oak-hickory forests. Native to the US.