Shagbark Hickory is a large deciduous tree with distinctive shaggy bark. It has tough hard wood that is used for shock resistant tool handles. The delicious nuts of the shagbark hickory are an important food source to humans and wildlife. Black bear, foxes, rabbits, mallards, wood ducks, bobwhites, turkey, chipmunks, raccoons, squirrels, and many others all enjoy shagbark hickory nuts. The wood can be used for smoking meat, and the bark can be used to make a delicious syrup. Native bats find valuable habitat under the pronounced peels of its bark. Plant in clearings with rich soils.