Shagbark Hickory vs Thornless Honeylocust - TreeTime.ca

Shagbark Hickory vs Thornless Honeylocust

Carya ovata

Gleditsia triacanthos inermis

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Shagbark Hickory
Thornless Honeylocust

Shagbark Hickory is a unique tree both for its looks and uses. Its bark peels into long thin vertical strips giving it a shaggy appearance. This and its golden fall leaves make it a gorgeous looking tree. This species produces tasty hickory nuts once mature. Hickory smoke is also treasured for curing meats and its generally fantastic smell.

This tree is best planted away from any buildings due to a deep taproot and large size. Many people remark on the unusual taproot for this tree that can be over 6 feet deep while the plant only has 2 feet of top growth.

Thornless Honey Locust makes an excellent shade tree with its lacy foliage and dappled shade. The leaves are honey-yellow, light and airy, providing interesting color and texture to your landscape. This variety is thornless, and the seeds and pods provide food for wildlife such as deer and squirrels.

The Thornless Honey Locust is tolerant of drought, various soil conditions, and even road salt.

Shagbark Hickory Quick Facts

Thornless Honeylocust Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 21 m (70 ft)
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: any
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: light and thin
Bark: shaggy looking bark peels vertically in long strips
Nuts: similar to pecans
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Other Names: carolina hickory, scalybark hickory, shellbark hickory, upland hickory