Hican | Carya × nussbaumeri

The Hican is a naturally occurring or hand-pollinated hybrid between hickory and pecan trees—combining the best of both worlds. It typically features the hardiness and resilience of hickories with the larger, thinner-shelled nuts of pecans. The result? A rare, vigorous nut tree with sweet, buttery nuts and excellent adaptability.

Seedlings vary in characteristics, but all make excellent additions to food forests, orchards, or restoration plantings.

Latin Name: Carya × nussbaumeri
Size at Maturity: 60–100 ft tall, 40–60 ft wide
USDA Zone: 5–9
Site & Soil: Prefers deep, fertile, well-drained soil; full sun; benefits from occasional moisture but tolerates drier sites once established
Pests & Diseases: Generally hardy and disease-resistant; may occasionally attract pecan pests or leaf spot but typically not a serious issue

🌰 Uses:
Produces large, sweet nuts with thinner shells than hickory
Nuts are enjoyed by people and wildlife alike (squirrels, turkeys, deer)
A beautiful shade tree with strong wood and attractive bark
Long-lived and ideal for legacy plantings

🛠 Growing Tips:
Allow space for full maturity
Like most nut trees, hicans require another compatible tree nearby for best nut set
Develops a strong taproot—handle gently during planting and avoid transplanting after established

💡 Fun Fact:
“Hican” comes from combining HIckory and PECAN—and though each seedling is unique, they are treasured by nut growers and homesteaders for their resilience and productivity.