Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) vs Bitternut Hickory - TreeTime.ca

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) vs Bitternut Hickory

Carya cordiformis

Acer saccharum

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Bitternut Hickory
Sugar Maple (Hard Maple)

Bitternut Hickory is a large deciduous tree that makes a great shade tree for yards and parks. This tree is native to Eastern North America. Although it produces nuts, they are bitter and inedible. Some consider this wood to be the best flavour for smoking meats.

Plant Bitternut Hickory in it’s forever home. It is difficult to transplant due to its long taproot, and may not survive.

The wood is strong and has historically been used for wheels, ladders, and furniture.

Sugar Maple is a large, deciduous tree known for its brilliant fall yellow, orange, and red-orange color display.

This long-lived shade tree features unique "maple"
lobed leaves.

Note: this Zone 4 tree is unlikely to produce commercially viable sap on the prairies.

Bitternut Hickory Quick Facts

Sugar Maple (Hard Maple) Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 4a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Spread: 13 m (42 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Bark: ridged, durable
Nuts: bitter
Seeds: winged samara
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC
Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: swamp hickory
Other Names: hard maple, rock maple