TN native. A very common large growing hickory that was present in much of the original forest of the eastern U.S. The nut husk is medium to small size for a hickory and the nut is very bitter, as its name implies. The leaves are typical hickory shaped compound leaf with 7, 9, or 11 leaflets. An easy hickory to identify, especially in winter, because of the yellowish buds and their different shape that is not like a capsule but look more like somewhat parallel reaching bracts or bud scales. The wood is tough, strong, heavy and not decay resistant outside on the ground.