Hickory Hickories are deciduous trees with branches having solid pith. Terminal buds bear imbricate, scaly buds except in the bitternut hickory which has valvate or foliate buds. Leaves are alternate with the leaflets arranged in an odd-pinnate pattern. Male flowers are borne in catkins.
Fruit is a husked nut and is often edible.
Carya Species I. Buds are valvate to foliate and sulphur yellow in color. Five to nine leaflets are borne in an odd-pinnate pattern. Leaf scars are large and broad. Buds have overlapping scales. Three to nine leaflets are borne in an odd-pinnate pattern.