Quick answer: Pignut hickory (Carya glabra) is native to 31 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 03 Nov 2026.
Photo: Plant Image Library, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium water, Dry |
| Soil | Well-drained to dry, rich loams and silty clays |
| Bloom | Bloom Apr |
| Height | 50-100 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Food for songbirds and small mammals, primary host for luna/funeral dagger/giant regal moths |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 03 Nov 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 03 Nov 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Pignut hickory
Where is Pignut hickory native?
Pignut hickory (Carya glabra) is native to 31 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Pignut hickory bloom?
Pignut hickory blooms Apr. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Pignut hickory need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: Medium water, Dry. Soil: Well-drained to dry, rich loams and silty clays. Mature height: 50-100 ft tall.
Is Pignut hickory good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Food for songbirds and small mammals, primary host for luna/funeral dagger/giant regal moths.
Is Pignut hickory deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Pignut hickory is drought-tolerant and tolerates shade.
Where can I buy Pignut hickory?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 03 Nov 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Carya glabra by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Pignut hickory.
- Flowering dogwood Cornus florida
- Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin
- American holly Ilex opaca
- Black cherry Prunus serotina
- White ash Fraxinus americana
- White oak Quercus alba
Also listed under
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