ting: It is difficult to transplant, grows slowly and is
seldom found in nurseries.

[Illustration: FIG. 67.--Bud of the Shagbark Hickory.]

Commercial value: The wood is extremely tough and hard and is used for
agricultural implements and for the manufacture of wagons. It is
excellent for fuel and the nuts are of great value as a food.

Other characters: The fruit is a nut covered by a thick husk that
separates into 4 or 5 segments. The kernel is sweet.

Other common names: _Shellbark hickory_.

MOCKERNUT HICKORY (_Hicoria alba_)

[Illustration: FIG. 68.--Bark of the Shagbark Hickory.]

Distinguishing characters: The *bud* is the largest among the
hickories--nearly half an inch long--is hard and oval and covered
with _yellowish brown_ downy _scales_ which _do not project_ like
those of the shagbark hickory, see Fig. 69. The twigs are extremely
coarse. The *bark* is very tight on the trunk and branches and has a
_close_, hard, _wavy_ appearance as in Fig. 70.

Leaf: The leaf consists of 5, 7 or 9 leaflets all of which are large and
pubescent and possess a distinct resinous odor.

Form and size: A tall tree with a broad spreading head.

Range: Eastern North America.

Soil and location: The mockernut hickory grows on a great variety of
soils, but prefers one which is rich and well-drained.

Enemies: The same as for the shagbark hickory.

Value for planting: It is not commonly planted.

Commercial value: The wood is similar to that of the shagbark hickory
and is put to the same uses.

Other characters: The fruit is a nut, larger and covered with a shell
thicker than that of the shagbark. The husk is also thicker and
separates into four segments nearly to the base. The kernel is small
and sweet.

Other common names: _Bigbud hickory_; _whiteheart hickory_.

Comparisons: The _pignut hickory_ (_Hicoria glabra_), sometimes called
broom hickory or brown hickory, often has a shaggy bark, but differs
from both the shagbark and the mockernut hickory in possessing buds
very much smaller, twigs more slender and leaflets fewer. The nut
has a thinner husk which does not separate into four or five
segments. The tree prefers drier ground than the other hickories.

[Illustration: FIG. 69.--Bud of the Mockernut Hickory.]

The _bitternut_ (_Hicoria minima_) can be told from the mockernut
and other species of hickory by its bud, wh