The genus Carya includes about 22 species
of living trees, known variously as hickories
and walnuts, that are mainly native to
North America. They are usually placed in
the walnut family, known as the juglands
group. Hickory wood, being straight-
grained and strong yet elastic, is often
compared with ash, and it is used to make
tool handles, oars, wheel spokes and similar
items where shock absorbency is important.
The tough-walled nuts fossilize well and
can usually be distinguished by their
• similarity to a walnut with one end more
pointed, generally flat and angular sides,
and four lengthwise grooves or narrow,
wing-like extensions.