What are hickory nuts like

[OceanMomma]

I was checking out one of the catalogues from a local-ish tree nursery & they sell hickory nut trees. I love fresh nuts but have never had any of these. It says they are an American natives. Anyone eat these ?

[BrooklynDoula]

They take a lot of work to shell but they are very yummy.

[Beth-TX]

They are wonderful, but a lot of work. You have to crack them open with a hammer. They're related to pecans and taste a bit like them, but with a stronger flavor. They're also much smaller.

If you're far enough south, I would recommend a pecan tree instead. Less work, more nut. We have 2 trees in our yard and I just love picking up bags of nuts in the fall.

peace, Beth

edited to add: durr...I just noticed you live in New Zealand. Not sure what you can grow there. Sorry.

[TigerTail]

i love them- definately more flavorful than pecans (more pita to pick, certainly, but for lazy winter nights in front of the fire...) almost a maple-syrup kind of taste. very rich.

my ds picked up so many when he was just learning to toddle! (i had to be careful not to let him put any in his mouth.) last fall tho', we had no harvest (just one of those 'off' years), or i'd offer to send you a few to plant. the tree looks geared up to have a bumper crop again tho' next fall (i hope!)

we have shagbark hickories, carya ovata. (fwiw, i've sent some to various places like scotland, iceland, netherlands... hope they are doing well. none to nz yet tho'!)

suse

[OceanMomma]

The ones I can get are carya tormentosa. So yeah remember me next fall

I can get pecan trees as well & intend getting one of them too.