Laney's hickory is a naturally occurring hybrid that brings together the best traits of two classic North American hickories, bitternut and shagbark. This deciduous tree grows 40 to 60 feet tall and spreads 30 to 50 feet wide, thriving in zones 4 through 8 with moderate water and low maintenance demands. It produces showy, edible nuts and turns a brilliant yellow in fall, making it both a productive and ornamental addition to larger landscapes.
Partial Sun
Moderate
4-8
720in H x 600in W
—
Low
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Born from the natural crossing of bitternut and shagbark hickories, Laney's hickory is an uncommon treasure that shows up only occasionally in northeastern North American forests. The compound leaves with five leaflets create dappled shade, while the tree's edible nuts and handsome fall color deliver both practical and aesthetic rewards. Its ability to thrive in full sun to partial shade and tolerate the allelopathic effects of black walnut makes it a resilient choice for challenging sites.
Laney's hickory serves primarily as a shade tree, offering both summer cooling and the aesthetic appeal of compound foliage and golden fall color. The edible nuts it produces represent a secondary benefit, providing food for wildlife and the occasional forager. Its ability to tolerate black walnut makes it useful in landscapes where other trees struggle.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Transplant in spring while the tree is still dormant, handling the root ball with care to avoid damaging the long taproot. Space at least 30 to 50 feet from other large trees.
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“Carya × laneyi exists as a naturally occurring hybrid found infrequently in the wild across northeastern North America, arising from the chance crossing of bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) and shagbark hickory (Carya ovata). These two species have coexisted across eastern deciduous forests for millennia, and where their ranges overlap, nature occasionally brings them together to create this intermediate form. The hybrid carries genetic material from both parents, combining traits that neither species alone possesses, making it a living bridge between two important native hickories.”