Description
Like all hickories, yellowbud has strong wood perfect for use in making furniture, tools, and especially bows. But unlike other hickories, their nuts aren’t palatable to humans- they contain high amounts of tannins, an anti-nutrient that we experience as bitterness and astringency. These tannins are water soluble but not fat soluble, meaning when the oil is extracted the tannins are left behind. The nations of the Haudenosaunee traditionally extract the oil by crushing the nuts and boiling them until the oil floats to the top, which they then skim off. Using an oil press also works if you have access to one.
Squirrels love the nuts, tannins and all, and the genus Carya hosts 213 different caterpillar species. Best planted in medium to wet and well-draining soils, they can also tolerate drier conditions but may not produce as well. They want full sun for maximum nut production.
