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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Carya (laciniosa)

John Vandevender
Center Manager
USDA NRCS - Appalachian Plant Materials Center
P. O. Box 390
Alderson, West Virginia 24910
304-445-3005
John.vandevender@wv.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/wvpmc

Family Scientific Name: Juglandaceae
Family Common Name: Walnut family
Scientific Name: Carya laciniosa (Michx. f.) G. Don
Common Name: shellbark hickory
Species Code: CALA21
Ecotype: Stones River National Battlefield source
General Distribution: Shellbark hickory is widely distributed throughout most of the eastern and central states from Texas, Kansas and Nebraska eastward to Georgia and north to New York, Massachusetts and Maine.
Known Invasiveness: None
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Bareroot (field grown)
Stock Type: 1-0
Time To Grow: 2 Years
Target Specifications: A second spring seedling ranging in height from 8" to 16" with a 1/16" to 3/16" caliper stem and a compact, well developed tap root system.
Propagule Collection: Seeds are collected from established natural stands within the confines of Stones River National Battlefield in the fall immediately after the nuts have matured and begun to fall from the tree.
Propagule Processing: Seeds (nuts) are collected in the fall, typically September and October,when the nuts have matured and begun to fall from the tree. Seed may be air dried to allow the outer husk to dry and separate from the nut. Once the outer husk has separated and been removed, the nut should be immediately planted to attain the 90 to 120 days of natural cold stratification required to break embryo dormancy prior to germination.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seed may be floated in water to help determine viability. Seed that floats is normally poorly filled and has low or no viability. Floaters are discarded, while the seed that sinks is retained for planting.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Best germination and growth of seedlings is in raised beds or sandy soil with adequate moisture. Prepare beds by deep rototilling or other tillage methods that achieve thorough loosening and mixing of soil. Seed are placed into 3/4" to 1" deep furrows scribed into the tilled soil. Furrows are spaced 2" apart and seed are placed 1" apart within furrows to optimize seedling development. Seed are covered with soil to a depth equal to 1and 1/2 times the average diameter of the seed; usually 3/4" to 1" of soil. Beds should then be covered with a 2 - 3 inch thick layer of straw to insulate against frost heaving. When seedlings begin to emerge, one-half of the straw should be removed.
Establishment Phase: Germination and establishment occur from late April to early June. The seedlings rapidly develop a long taproot, but shoot growth is initially slow.
Length of Establishment Phase: 2 months
Active Growth Phase: Plants require little maintenance during active growth other than application of at least 1 inch of water per week during drouth conditions and elimination of weed competition. Weeds must be removed during early growth phases to avoid uprooting the seedlings.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 4-6 months
Hardening Phase: Since the plants are grown outside, no additional hardening is required.
Length of Hardening Phase: None
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Seedlings are harvested in late winter while dormant. The best harvesting method employs a nursery bed lifter/shaker which undercuts the seedlings and gently loosens the soil around the roots. Bare root seedlings are then plucked from the loosened soil by hand. Refrigeration is employed to maintain seedling dormancy after harvest until shipping. Optimal temperatures for maintenance of dormancy are 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit. Root dessication during storage is prevented through packing in aged, moistened hardwood sawdust.
Length of Storage: 1-2 months
References: USDA, NRCS. 2014. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 7 February 2014). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Citation:

Vandevender, John. 2014. Propagation protocol for production of Bareroot (field grown) Carya laciniosa (Michx. f.) G. Don plants 1-0; USDA NRCS - Appalachian Plant Materials Center Alderson, West Virginia. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.