Sand Hickory is tree of dry, sandy soil, most common in the Sandhills of North Carolina. The leaves usually have 7-9 leaflets with a scruffily pubescent rachis. The leaves are spicily fragrant, like those of the other tetraploid hickories of section Carya (alba, glabra, and ovalis).

Moore Co., NC 6/6/03.

The leaf undersides are pale, covered with tiny silvery scales.

Moore Co., NC 6/6/03.

The buds are covered with golden-colored glands. Sand Hickory could be confused with Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis), which also has 9 leaflets per leaf and yellowish buds. Bitternut Hickory grows in wet habitats, lacks the silvery scales, and lacks the fragrance. The most similar species is Nutmeg Hickory (Carya myristiciformis), q.v., which grows only in one spot in the state.

Moore Co., NC 6/6/03.