This section is from the book "Trees And Tree-Planting", by James S. Brisbin. Also available from Amazon: Trees and Tree Planting.
Its Favored Emblematic Character.—Productive Qualities.—Manner of Planting for Fruit and for "Wood.—The Shellbark Hickory.— Its Features, Form, and Character. — Its Twofold Merits. — The Thick Shellbark Hickory.—General Characteristics.— Quality of its Fruit.—Composition of Leaf.—Pignut Hickory.—Its Size, Attainable Height, and Particular Qualities.—Quality of its Fruit, and for What Used.—The Mocker Nut.—Attainable Height and Size.—Manner of Growth.—Its Fruit Described.—Distinguishing Characteristics.—Probable Reason of its Name.—The Pecan Nut. —Its Attainable Height.—Quality of its Wood and Fruit.—General Appearance and Productiveness.—The Bitter-Nut Hickory.— Its Associate Trees.—Where Found and Progressive Decrease.—Its Liability to Destruction.
This emblematic tree of America, and the representative of the character of one of our greatest men, will always be a favorite with our people, not only on account of its history, but its valuable nut-bearing qualities and its wood.
The shellbark is the best for planting, either for wood or for fruit. If planted for nuts it should be kept in the nursery until two or three years old, and then transplanted. To make it bear early, dig under and cut the tap-root as close to the surface as possible. For timber and rapid growth, in transplanting dig the holes deep, and see that the tap-root is put in perfectly straight. The nuts should be dropped four feet apart each way, and, if planted in ground where the trees are to remain, the plants should be thinned so as to keep the branches from touching. Hickories are rather slow of growth, so I would advise that it be transplanted after the first year to the place it is to occupy permanently. A nursery of young trees should be carefully weeded and cul-. tivated until they have arrived at such height as to render them safe from the encroachment of weeds.
 
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