115 gardener saves
Carya: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 4 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 4 most-saved Carya varieties
Of 4 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedShagbark Hickory
Carya ovata
#2 most savedPignut Hickory
Carya glabra
#3 most savedShellbark Hickory
Carya laciniosa
Pecan
Carya illinoensis
How to grow Carya
What the Carya varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Carya year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune young trees to establish a central leader; remove dead wood on mature trees.
- PlantFebruary and March75% of varieties
Plant bare-root trees during dormancy in late winter.
- HarvestSeptember and October75% of varieties
Harvest nuts in the fall after they begin to drop from the tree.
Do
- Protect young trees from deer browse with trunk guards.
- Provide ample space for this very large tree to grow.
- Plant at least two different cultivars for cross-pollination and good nut set.
- Water deeply and regularly, especially during nut-filling stage.
- Conduct a soil test and provide necessary nutrients, especially zinc.
Avoid
- Do not plant in shallow, compacted, or poorly drained soil.
- Avoid planting near buildings or power lines due to its massive size.
- Don't plant juglone-sensitive plants like tomatoes or azaleas under the canopy.
- Avoid wounding the thin bark, which can lead to disease entry.
What goes wrong with Carya
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory Bark Beetle | Small holes in bark, sawdust-like frass, branch dieback. | Maintain tree health, as beetles target stressed trees. Remove and destroy infested limbs. Systemic insecticides for high-value trees. |
| Pecan Weevil | Small holes in developing nuts; hollowed-out nuts at harvest. | Use circle traps on the trunk to capture emerging adults. Time insecticide sprays (carbaryl) to target adults before they lay eggs. |
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew on leaves and nuts, leading to sooty mold. | Encourage beneficial insects like lacewings and ladybugs. Use insecticidal soap for minor infestations. Apply a systemic insecticide if severe. |
| Anthracnose | Irregular brown or black spots on leaves, leading to defoliation in wet years. | Rake up and destroy fallen leaves. Improve air circulation. Fungicide sprays are rarely necessary on mature trees. |
| Pecan Scab | Black, velvety spots on leaves, twigs, and nut shucks, causing premature nut drop. | Choose resistant cultivars. Prune to improve air circulation. Apply a rigorous schedule of preventative fungicide sprays throughout the growing season. |
Making more Carya
Seed
- Collect fresh nuts in the fall.
- Stratify in moist sand in a refrigerator for 90-120 days.
- Plant seeds 2-3 inches deep in a prepared bed in spring.
- Seedlings will emerge in late spring. Note: will not be true to parent.
Grafting
- Grow seedling rootstock for 1-2 years.
- In late winter, collect dormant scion wood from a desired cultivar.
- Perform a whip-and-tongue or inlay bark graft in early spring.
- Wrap the graft union tightly and seal with wax. This is an expert method.
Carya questions
How many types of Carya are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Carya varieties. The most popular — ranked by 115 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Carya grow in?
Across its varieties, Carya covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Carya bloom?
Most Carya varieties bloom in mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Carya should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Carya in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
