Overview of Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg.
Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg. is a type of hickory tree native to the eastern part of the United States. The plant is also commonly referred to as the swamp hickory or water hickory.
Synonyms and Taxonomy
Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg. is a variety of Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg., which belongs to the family of Juglandaceae. The plant has several synonyms, including Juglans ovalis Wangenh. and Carya aquatica (Michaux f.) Nutt.
Description
Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg. is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 30 meters tall. The tree has a straight trunk and a broad, rounded crown. The bark of the tree is grayish-brown and smooth when young, but later becomes furrowed. The foliage consists of pinnately compound leaves that are dark green in color and turn yellow in the fall. The male flowers are yellow-green and appear in spring. The female flowers are green and appear in clusters of two to four in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a nut enclosed in a thick, woody husk that splits open when mature.
Uses
Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg. is primarily used for its wood, which is hard, strong, and durable. The wood is used in the construction of furniture, flooring, and tool handles. The nuts of the tree are edible and can be used in cooking or eaten raw. The tree is also sometimes planted as an ornamental tree.
Light Requirements
Carya ovalis var. obovalis typically grows in full sun to partial shade conditions. While it can tolerate some shade, it produces the best growth and nut production in bright sunlight. The plant grows naturally in forest edges and open woodlands that have a mix of sun and shade.
Temperature Requirements
This plant variety is native to the southeastern United States and is well-adapted to the warm, humid climate of the region. It grows best in areas with hot summers and mild winters. The optimal temperature range for growth is between 65-95°F (18-35°C), although it can tolerate temperatures as low as 0°F (-18°C) during dormancy.
Soil Requirements
Carya ovalis var. obovalis prefers well-draining, loamy soils that are rich in organic matter. It can tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels, from acidic to slightly alkaline (pH 4.5-7.5). The tree is somewhat drought-tolerant once established, but it prefers consistent moisture in the soil. Too much water can be detrimental to the plant.
Cultivation Methods
Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg., commonly known as Southern Shagbark Hickory or Scalybark Hickory, is a deciduous tree that is mostly found in the southeastern United States. The best time to plant the Carya ovalis is during early spring before new growth appears. The tree prefers well-draining, loamy soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Prior to planting, the soil should be well cultivated and free from stones. Once planted, the tree should be watered regularly to ensure proper growth.
Watering Needs
The Carya ovalis requires moderate watering during the growing season, and it should be watered regularly to prevent drought stress. The tree should be watered deeply once a week, providing it with 1 to 2 inches of water. Mulching around the tree can help retain moisture in the soil, and the mulch should be kept away from the base of the trunk to prevent root rot. During the winter months, watering should be reduced to prevent waterlogging in the soil.
Fertilization
Carya ovalis is a slow-growing tree that doesn’t require much fertilizer. Fertilization should be done during early spring before new growth appears. A balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be used. The fertilizer should be applied evenly around the drip-line of the tree, and it should be watered in thoroughly. Over-fertilization can lead to poor growth, so it is essential not to overdo it.
Pruning
Pruning of Carya ovalis should only be done when necessary, such as when removing damaged limbs or correcting structural defects. The best time to prune the tree is during its dormant season. Pruning during the growing season should be avoided as it can weaken the tree and cause it to lose moisture. When pruning, it is essential to make clean cuts, close to the trunk, and at a 45-degree angle. Suckers should be removed promptly as they take away valuable nutrients from the tree and can weaken its root system.
Propagation of Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg.
Propagation of Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg. can be achieved through different methods such as seed propagation, grafting, and budding.
Seed propagation
Seeds collected from the parent tree can be used to propagate Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg.. The seeds must be stratified for approximately 120 days at a temperature of 1-5°C before planting. After stratification, it is necessary to place the nuts in a container and cover them with a material that will maintain water loss. Plant them in the spring, two inches deep and 20 feet away from each other to allow for growth space. Seed propagation can produce plants with the same characteristics as the parent tree.
Grafting
Grafting is a reliable method for propagating the cultivars of Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg.. In grafting, a scion of a desired cultivar is attached to the rootstock of a different tree that provides a good root system. This method permits the benefit of creating identical clones of the parent tree. The graft union point between the scion and rootstock must be protected with grafting tape to prevent pathogens from entering the wound.
Budding
Budding is another method used to propagate Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg.. In this method, a bud is cut from a desirable cultivar and inserted into the bark of a rootstock also of Carya ovalis as well through the T-budding technique. Once the bud has taken, the shoot will begin to grow with leaves from the desired cultivar. It is very important to avoid bark damage when inserting the bud, as this can reduce the success rate in this technique.
Disease and Pest Management for Carya ovalis (Wangenh.) Sarg. var. obovalis Sarg.
As with any plant species, Carya ovalis is not immune to pest infestations and diseases. Proper management practices can control or prevent most issues. Here are a few common diseases and pests that might affect the plant and ways to manage them.
Common Diseases
Anthracnose: This disease is caused by the fungus Apiognomonia errabunda and can cause significant leaf loss. Symptoms include brown lesions on leaves and black fruiting bodies. Management involves promoting good air circulation by pruning and removing infected plant debris, removing and destroying fallen leaves, and using fungicides if necessary.
Bacterial leaf scorch: This bacterial disease can cause leaf wilting, scorching, and necrosis in Carya ovalis. There is currently no treatment for the disease, so prevention is the key. Management practices include boosting plant immunity through proper fertilization and avoiding mechanical damage to the tree.
Pecan scab: This fungal disease mainly affects the nut production of Carya ovalis, causing black spots on the nuts. Management practices include removing and destroying infected leaves and nuts, pruning for better air circulation, and using fungicides during the growing season.
Common Pests
Hickory shuckworm: This pest can cause significant damage to the nuts of Carya ovalis. It bores into the nut and feeds on the nut meat. Management practices include the use of pheromone traps to monitor populations and using insecticides if necessary.
Pecan weevil: The adult weevil lays eggs on the nuts of Carya ovalis, and the larvae then burrow into the nut and feed on the nut meat. Management practices include monitoring for adult weevils using pheromone traps and using insecticides as necessary.
Pecan nut casebearer: This pest feeds on the nuts of Carya ovalis, causing significant damage. Management practices include monitoring for casebearer larvae in the early spring and using insecticides as necessary.
By practicing adequate pest and disease management, Carya ovalis can thrive and produce high-quality nuts.
