Building a Sustainable Nursery

Crop Profile: Hickory Group

Welcome to the Backyard Berry newsletter, "Building a Sustainable Nursery"—a seasonal exploration of native plants, gardening insights, and sustainable practices.

Each edition will feature stories from my backyard nursery, focusing on plant profiles, propagation techniques, and the joys of cultivating local flora.

Inspired by my connection to the ecosystem, this newsletter will offer valuable tips on plant care, delicious recipes, and updates on our nursery's growth.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, I hope to inspire you to engage with the natural cycles around us and appreciate the plants that thrive in our backyards!

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In this edition, we’re diving into the fascinating world of hickory trees. These native giants—pecan, shagbark, shellbark, and yellowbud—are not only vital for our ecosystem but also provide delicious nuts and sturdy wood.

Educational Video & Range Map

We’ve included a helpful video from the University of Kentucky Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Extension that explores each hickory species in detail. Additionally, you can view a range map showing their native habitats across the United States.

BONAP

Pecan (Carya Illinoiensis)

Tree of the Week - Pecan

Shagbark (Carya Ovata)

Tree of the Week - Shagbark Hickory

Shellbark (Carya Laciniosa)

Tree of the Week - Shellbark Hickory

Yellowbud (Carya Cordiformis)

Tree of the Week - Yellowbud Hickory

Harvesting Hickory: A Personal Story

Recently, while driving down a back road, I stumbled upon three massive hickory trees, their bounty of nuts scattered across the ground. This find was only possible because the trees stood at the edge of a pasture, untouched by human hands.

Underneath the canopy, I discovered not only nuts but also signs of wildlife—a hawk perched in a nearby locust tree and remnants of a squirrel, all part of the ecosystem thriving around these majestic trees.

Hickory wood is renowned for its strength and versatility, making it ideal for tool handles, smoking wood, and more. I currently propagate hickories through seed, but I’m excited about future grafting projects to cultivate premium genetics.

Exciting Propagation News!

I recently acquired some of the largest hickory cultivar seeds I’ve ever seen! For those who’ve been following along, here’s a look at these impressive seeds once again.

Delicious Recipes to Try

• Pecan Pie/Hickory Pie Riff:

A delightful twist on a classic dessert.

Hickory Pie

• Hickory nut Milk

A creamy, nutty alternative that’s perfect in coffee stews or smoothies.

Hickory Nut Brew

• Stuffed dates

Dates filled with walnuts, hickory nuts, and black pepper, drizzled with honey—a modern take on a Roman delicacy.

Stuffed Dates

• Hickory nut oil

a high heat cooking oil that can be made with plants native to the US (as opposed to olive oil)

Thoughts on Yellowbud

These recipes highlight the regenerative potential of hickory nuts as a native perennial crop, promoting sustainability in our food systems.

Cultivars Available for Purchase

• Pecan:

  • Kanza

  • Pawnee

  • Posey

• Shagbark:

  • Combs

  • Yoder #1

  • Lizzie Mountain

• Shellbark:

  • Fayette

  • Chetopa

  • Keystone

• Yellowbud: No known cultivars available yet.

Scionwood for these cultivars are made available via the Cliff England Orchard and Nursery website (you’ll have to learn to graft your own though)

Closing Thoughts

So that’s the first installment of the crop profile series. As we dive in, your input is invaluable! 

Please comment below if you found the recipe videos helpful/exciting. 

Be sure to include which recipe you’re interested in trying out and stay tuned for next week when we will be going over another of the native nut trees: hazelnuts. 

Thank you for being here in this exploration of the hickory group! I hope you feel like it was worth your time.

These trees not only enrich our landscapes but also provide us with tasty nuts and valuable resources. Stay tuned for more plant profiles and updates from Backyard Berry!

I look forward to connecting with you again next week. 

Much love

Many blessings,

Travis

PS Thank you for your continued support as I navigate this journey. This newsletter serves as my personal accountability tool while I work toward establishing a full-time plant nursery by 2027.