- Shellbark hickory is widely distributed through the Midwest and Ohio River Valley regions. According to the University of Wisconsin, they thrive in deep, moist, fertile soils that are neutral to slightly alkaline.
- Shagbark is one of the most common hickory varieties, growing in almost all of the eastern half of the United States except southern coastal regions. These trees grow in such a wide range of conditions that describing ideal habitat is nearly impossible, but fertile, rich loam soil that is moist but well-drained and has a neutral pH seems to be a safe bet.
- Probably the most abundant hickory, bitternut has a similar range to that of shagbark hickory. It grows in an equally varied range of soils, but it seems to favor moist bottomland sites and can thrive in low-nutrient soils. They often grow in coarse or sandy loams.
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