Hickory nuts are a delicious and nutritious gift from nature, rewarding those who take the time to crack them open. Encased in a thick husk, the nut boasts a rich, sweet flavor reminiscent of pecans, packed with calories for an energy boost. A single hickory nut can contain nearly 200 calories, making it an ideal snack for outdoor adventures or a valuable source of sustenance in a survival situation.
Hickory nuts can be enjoyed immediately after harvesting or stored in a cool, dry place for extended periods. The very name “hickory” originates from “pawcohiccora,” a Native American porridge crafted from the nuts of shagbark hickory trees.
Alt text: A tall shagbark hickory tree with its distinctive peeling bark in a forest setting.
During the autumn months, hickory nuts begin to fall from trees across the United States. The hickory family encompasses over a dozen species, including walnuts and pecans, many of which share characteristics such as leaf structure, trunk shape, and average height. While most hickory nuts are safe to eat, some varieties are inedible. Learning how to identify hickory nuts and which trees produce palatable nuts is a crucial skill, especially for those who enjoy foraging and exploring the outdoors.
Identifying Edible Hickory Nuts: What to Look For
When venturing into the forest to gather nuts, it’s essential to distinguish between edible and potentially poisonous varieties. Hickory trees belong to the genus Carya, deciduous hardwood trees prevalent in North America and parts of Asia.
Their leaves are easily recognizable by their narrow shape and serrated edges. Typically ranging from 2 to 8 inches in length, hickory leaves grow in pairs along the stem, usually with 2 to 9 leaves on the sides and one at the end.
Hickory nuts are distinguished by their double shell structure. They feature a fibrous outer husk that peels away to reveal the inner nutshell, protecting the delicious nut meat. It is crucial to avoid confusing hickory nuts with other double-shelled nuts, as some can be poisonous. For example, buckeye nuts possess similar shells but contain entirely different nut meat. Hickory nuts contain partitioned inner nutshells, like walnuts, while buckeye nuts have a more almond-like appearance.
Exploring Different Species of Hickory Nuts
There are various types of hickory nuts, each exhibiting unique characteristics in appearance and taste. Recognizing these differences will allow you to identify hickory nuts and enhance your foraging experience.
Southern Shagbark Hickory
Alt text: A cluster of unripe green hickory nuts still encased in their thick outer husks hanging from a branch.
The Southern shagbark hickory, or Carya caronlinae septentrionalis, thrives in limestone soils and produces round nuts approximately 1-2 inches in diameter. Encased in a thick, dark husk, shagbark hickory nuts are known for their sweet flavor. Lightly toasting them over a campfire enhances their robust, crunchy flavor by removing some of the fruitiness.
Bitternut Hickory
The bitternut hickory, or Carya cordiformis, flourishes in dense, wet forests, yielding smaller nuts ranging from less than an inch to 1.6 inches long. These nuts have a thin, dark husk and a distinctly bitter taste. While not poisonous, their unpleasant flavor makes them better suited for squirrels and other wildlife.
Pignut Hickory
The pignut hickory, or Carya glabra, prefers ridges and produces light brown nuts with thin husks. Pignuts are round, about an inch wide, and somewhat resemble a pig’s nose. The fruit of the pignut hickory is edible but possesses an astringent and bitter flavor. If you are foraging hickory nuts for homemade recipes, pignut hickory can be candied or ground into a powder for baking to eliminate the bitter taste.
Shellbark Hickory
The shellbark hickory, or Carya laciniosa, also called kingnut hickory, grows in wet forests and produces the largest nuts of all hickory species, reaching up to 1.5 inches in diameter. These nuts are sweet and encased in a thick, dark-brown husk.
Red Hickory
The red hickory, or Carya ovalis, grows on slopes and ridges. Red hickory nuts are round, about 1-inch wide with thick dark-brown husks, and offer a sweet flavor that can be enjoyed raw.
Sand Hickory
The sand hickory, or Carya palida, thrives in dry areas and produces the smallest nuts, measuring between half an inch and an inch and a half. These nuts have thin husks and light-brown shells and offer a sweet flavor suitable as a substitute for pecans or walnuts in sweet and savory dishes.
Mockernut Hickory
The mockernut hickory, or Carya tomentosa, also prefers dry areas, primarily on slopes and ridges. The mockernut is relatively small compared to other hickory nut species, measuring only 1.5-2 inches, and is encased in a thick, dark-brown husk. The fruit of the Mockernut hickory is sweet, but brining and baking the nuts transforms them into a savory, salty snack.
Alt text: Close-up of a cracked mockernut hickory nut, revealing the edible kernel inside.
Cracking and Curing Hickory Nuts After You Identify Hickory Nuts
Hickory nuts ready for consumption typically fall directly from the trees, making it easy to gather ripe ones. Often, the husks will already be cracked, facilitating access to the nut itself. Once you’ve collected the nuts, remove and discard the husks.
Next, inspect the nuts for any signs of weevils or other insects that may have burrowed inside and consumed the nut meat. Discard any nuts with boreholes, as they likely lack fruit.
Hickory nut shells can be cracked using a standard nutcracker designed for walnuts. Alternatively, you can use a vise, a hammer, or even a rock to break the shell open. A vise can be tightened until the shell cracks, usually without damaging the fruit.
When foraging hickory nuts in the wild, a rock or the butt of your survival knife serves as an ideal tool for opening the shell without harming the fruit. Place the nut on a hard, flat surface, such as a stump or rock, and strike the shell until it cracks. Then, use the blade to carefully pry the shell open further.
Once the nut is cracked open, extract the fruit using the tip of a knife, and it’s ready to eat. The level of sweetness will vary depending on the type of nut. You can also store the nuts in an airtight container for several months or freeze them for up to a year.
Planting Hickory Nut Trees
Hickory trees are more than just a source of nutrient-dense food; they also provide natural habitat for small game animals and birds. Planting hickory trees in your yard can contribute to the local ecosystem.
For hunters seeking a reliable source of game, purchasing hunting land populated with hickory trees can attract a greater diversity of animals and increase populations of squirrels and deer, who favor the sweet hickory nut meat. However, if you hunt with dogs, be aware that hickory nuts, while not poisonous, can cause digestive upset.
Final Thoughts
Foraging is an essential life skill to develop, especially in survival situations. Hickory nuts can be a satisfying treat while exploring the wilderness or camping with friends.
Distinguishing between different hickory tree and nut varieties can mean the difference between enjoying a delicious snack and encountering a bitter, unpalatable nut. When eaten ripe, hickory nuts are a valuable, nutrient-dense food source that makes the effort to crack their tough shells well worth it.
