Carya tomentosa
Mockernut Hickory

Mature Height: 50-146'     Longevity: 500 years

 Carya tomentosa leaf. Carya tomentosa character art.
   

2-7 Water Range
Soil moisture tolerated by tree

5-8 Temperature Range
Hardiness Zones in which tree naturally occurs.

DEFENSE     Soil Moisture Key
2: Common on dry ridges & uplands. Common in sandy soils of coastal plains with pines. Literature often refers to uplands as moist and moderate drought tolerance reported.

7: No flood tolerance identified & most references identify preferred moist soils as well-drained. Presence in floodplains cited in multiple resources.

DEFENSE (from Distribution Maps)
National Audubon Society (NAS) Map: (NORTH) Solid Z5. (SOUTH) Solid Z8 w/ small intrusion into Z9 in Eastern Coastal FL.

Peterson Field Guide (PFG) Map: Same as NAS.


   

2   Sun Strength

5   Shade Strength

DEFENSE
Growth Rate:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Max Height:

Click here for Key
1.8 = very Slow
-.4 = Climax Specialist
+.4 = 3 Major, 1 Minor
0 = ???
0 = No
0 = 70'
+.1 = 146'

DEFENSE
Shade Tol.:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Longevity:

Click here for Key
3.5 = slightly > Intolerant
+.7 = Climax Specialist
+.4 = 3 Major, 1 Minor
0 = ???
0 = No
0 = 70'
+.3 = 500 yrs

TOTAL SCORE (1.9): Presence in each of major soil orders prevents lowest score.

TOTAL SCORE (4.9): Concensus shade intolerant but classified as tolerant during some periods of life & responds well to release. Likely a climax due to extreme soil conditions in which Mockernut is commonly found (low competition). Extreme longevity allows species to persist even when favorable conditions for its development are few & far between.


   

3   Fire Strength

5   Wind Strength

DEFENSE
Base Score: none-low (Big Tree) = 2-3
Long life of tree countered by very slow growth & prolonged exposure as short juvenile. Despite deep root system and branch free bole, Mockernut is identified as being very vulnerable to fire. Negatives slightly outweigh positives & fact tree is a hickory keeps rating low.
Final Value = 3

DEFENSE
Base Score: windirm (Big Tree) = 4
Deep taproot, moderate height and emphasis on strong hard wood lead to assigning highest value.
Final Value = 5