Hickory • Carya
Trees & Shrubs
Conditions: Allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma; allergic conjunctivitis.
Symptoms: Itchy, stuffy, or runny nose; post-nasal drip; sneezing; itchy, red or watery eyes; asthmatic symptoms.
Physical description: Deciduous, a nut-producing tree that can grow to 100 feet in height; male flowers are inflexible, thin tassels that hang down from the ends of branches; female flowers are solitary or in clusters of 2-10 on the same tree; this tree is especially known for its shaggy-looking bark.
Environmental factors: Found in orchards and along roadsides as boulevard trees; severe allergen; does not travel far but is abundant in late spring.
Cross Reactivity: Pecan and walnut
Included species: Shagbark hickory, bitternut hickory, shellbark hickory, and more.
References
- “Hickory.”Dictionary.com. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/hickory
- “Hickory (Carya) Genus Level Details and Allergy Info.” Pollen.com. https://www.pollen.com/research/genus/carya
- “Hickory.”Britannica.com. https://www.britannica.com/plant/hickory-plant
- “Temperate Climate Permaculture Plants: Pecan and Hickory.”
Temperate Climate Permaculture. http://tcpermaculture.blogspot.com/2013/03/permaculture-plants-pecans-and-hickory.html - “Inhaled Tree Nut Allergen.” AAAAI.org. https://www.aaaai.org/ask-the-expert/inhaled-tree-nut-allergen
- “Potential allergenicity of smoked pecan wood.” AAAAI.org. http://www.aaaai.org/ask-the-expert/allergenicity-smoked-pecan-wood
Hickory trees produce edible nuts. There is no significant risk associated with a tree nut allergic person engaging in activities in close proximity to a tree, even with nuts on the ground around the tree. Skin contact with nuts outside of the shell is a potential risk. Reaction to the bark, such as hickory smoking chips, maybe a risk, though there are no available studies regarding this topic.
