The shagbark hickory tree is an important tree in North America,
benefiting animals, native Americans and early Colonial
settlers.
The Native Americans ground up and mixed the Shagbark nut with
boiling water to make "hickory milk," a flour-like concoction they
baked in small cakes.
The European settlers looked to Shagbark Hickories for their
excellent fuel value. A cord of split Shagbark wood is said to have
the same heat value as a ton of anthracite coal, so many frontier
cabins kept warm with Shagbark at the hearth. When burned, Shagbark
Hickory produces an especially fragrant smoke that is also used to
cure bacon and ham. Lastly, Shagbark's tough, slightly springy wood
made it ideal for ax handles and wagon wheels, so all these varied
uses meant many a Shagbark Hickory was felled by pioneers.
The Eastern Gray Squirrels eat Shagbark nuts at treetop heights,
other wildlife dines on the fruit after it hits the ground. Eastern
Chipmunks are adept at chewing open hickory shells, and even
diminutive White-footed Mice will work the nut until they finally
get inside. Black Bears are known to tank up on Shagbark fruit
prior to hibernation, while Wild Turkeys swallow and then grind the
nuts in their powerful gizzards.
PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB THIS TREE BY PULLING OFF ANY BARK, PLEASE
LEAVE THE AREA AS YOU FOUND IT.
