Bitternut Hickory is a fairly common large tree of bottomland forests, distinguished by sulphur-yellow buds and usually having 9 leaflets per leaf.

The Sand Hickory also has 9 leaflets and yellowish buds, but grows in dry habitats, has silvery leaf undersides, and spicily fragrant leaves. The Water Hickory of the Coastal Plain lacks yellow buds, averages more leaflets (9-11), and has slightly slightly more curved (falcate) leaves.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/1/05.

Bark of a small tree.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/1/05.

Bark of a large tree. The bark is much tighter than on most hickories, lacking significant ridges and not peeling off in strips.