Bitternut Hickory - Carya cordiformis Walnut Family (Juglandaceae)

It has large, compound leaves, a 1 inch, four-part nut, and yellow fall color.1

The gray-green bark has tight narrow ridges which become scaly on older bark. The bright yellow terminal buds are showy in winter.1

The alternate, compound leaves have 7 to 11 lance-shaped leaflets. The leaves are yellow-green with serrate margins and are paler underneath. The fall color is yellow brown.1

The fruits are nuts with four-winged husks and are thin-shelled. The nut is bitter and inedible.1

References:
  1. Bitternut hickory. The Morton Arboretum. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/bitternut-hickory/. No Publication Date. Accessed December 04, 2023.
  2. https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/bitternut-hickory/
  3. https://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_main_image/public/mo_nature/media/images/2010/06/bitternut_hickory.jpg?itok=aJ_OzMv0
  4. https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.a202b584d192adee889625fe11e6934e?rik=hpZ89308kg7XCA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.minnesotaseasons.com%2fPlants%2fLarge%2fB%2fbitternut_hickory_15.jpg&ehk=biesvRuwrZKjGkYmbxPwvt2aq5RgCvn0qN8lvy5zPOc%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0
  5. https://mortonarb.org/app/uploads/2020/12/8111_ca_object_representations_media_23756_large-0x1120-c-default.jpg
  6. https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.2d1d730e4a530daf3959e8ead78c8221?rik=21fVsT3p%2bthhMw&riu=http%3a%2f%2fsandcat.middlebury.edu%2fFacilities%2ftrees%2fOriginals%2fP576.jpg&ehk=Rpm54dV0NKmwSvJ1pEd5xBcUosxOy7QV3nGmBmACK2s%3d&risl=1&pid=ImgRaw&r=0