Carya buckleyi

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −23.3 °C

Cultivation

Prefers a deep moisture-retentive loam in a sunny sheltered position, requiring a good summer for best development. Succeeds outdoors at Kew. Plants are strongly tap-rooted and should be planted in their permanent positions as soon as possible. Trees are late coming into leaf (usually late May to June) and lose their leaves early in the autumn (usually in October). Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Most species in this genus have quite a wide range of distribution and, in order to find trees more suited to this country, seed from the most appropriate provenances should be sought. There is some confusion over the correct name of this species, some authorities place it under C. texana. Buckl.. Trees are self-fertile but larger crops of better quality seeds are produced if cross-pollination takes place.

Propagation

Seed - requires a period of cold stratification. It is best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe (a plastic bottle with the top and bottom removed and a wire mesh top fitted to keep the mice out is ideal)

Edible uses

Seed - raw or cooked. The seed ripens in late autumn and, when stored in its shell in a cool place, will keep for at least 6 months[K].

Material uses

Wood - hard and brittle. Used mainly for fuel.

Habitat

Dry sandy uplands.

Native range

Central N. America - Texas and Oklahoma.