Do hickory trees grow in Alaska? If you think of the endless, forested regions of Alaska, for example, you’d probably picture hardy conifers such as spruces, pines and firs very well adapted to a climate characterized by cold, seemingly never-ending winters and short but intense summers.
Hickories are prized for their dense wood as well as nut-bearing possibilities. Wondering if hickory trees might actually thrive in Alaska, you can read on for some of the things that would determine their viability in such an extreme northern climate.
Features of Hickory Trees
What you may not know is that Hickory trees are from the genus of Carya and they’re commonly found throughout the eastern half of America, spanning as far north as Minnesota and down to Texas with a wide berth all along the east coast.
With rich, robust lumber and nutrient dense nuts that sustain birds and prey critters alike, hickories fall into two primary natural groupings:
- Love True Hickories Shagbark hickory, shellbark hickory, and pignut hickory are just a few of the true hickories. They have strong wood and distinct rough or shaggy bark.
- Pecan Hickories this genus contains the pecan tree, which is commonly grown for edible nuts in the southern United States.
Although most hickory trees are slow growing plants, they may reach a height of from 60 to 100 feet, with lifespans exceeding 200 years. They are happiest in areas where summers are warm, winters cold, and soil well-drained; with the exception of a few hickory species, which can also deal with more rigorous winters.
Climate Conditions in Alaska
One reasonable question is to find out if hickory grows in all of Alaska because we should first see what the climate is really like in Alaska. Alaska’s climate is multifaceted, with multiple climate zones from maritime to subarctic and arctic:
- Southeast and Southcentral Alaska: They have a more temperate, maritime climate with milder winters, cooler summers, and higher precipitation. Places like Juneau and Anchorage fit into this category.
- Interior Alaska: Famous for its polar opposites, this region can have hot summers and frigid winters. The Fairbanks area is one of the cities that fits into this climate classification subarctic.
- Northern Alaska: Encompassing the North Slope, this area is characterized by an arctic climate and contains long, severe winters; short cool summers and permafrost. They do not grow for trees the temperatures and soil are too unfriendly to tree roots.
These different environments create difficulties for out-of-region trees such as the hickories in each zone. Hickory trees need both cold winters and warm, long summers to grow and produce nuts, which Alaskas weather does not provide.
What Challenges do Hickory Tress face in Alaska?
Uneven heat is another reason it would be so hard for these trees to take root in this part of the country despite some hickory species able to endure those winter cold temperatures in certain Alaskan zones.
- Season Length
Hickory trees are slow growers and require lengthy warm summers to thrive. Hickory trees require a longer growing season and closer to the deep south, which is at least several months long the growing season of Alaska is short; hickories need more than a few months for maturity and nut production.
- Soil Conditions
Hickories like well-draining, nutrient-rich soil with a pH that hovers between slightly acidic and neutral. Soils in parts of Interior and the North region of Alaska are usually shallow, acidic, and poorly drained. This is known as permafrost, which can also be a problem because it creates a layer of frozen ground that cannot be penetrated by roots.
- Nutritional Needs
Hickories need nutrient-rich organic soil, especially during the formation of their hard, heavy trunks and nuts. For hickory to have long-term growth in Alaska, nutrients must be present in the soil in adequate amounts.
Are Hickories an Option to Grow in a Protected or Controlled Environment?
But if you are hell-bent on attempting to grow a hickory in Alaska, there are a couple of methods that may increase your odds of success:
- Availability of Cold-Hardy Varieties: The highly cold-hardy Shagbark hickory is the most likely survivor in Alaska and could thrive in Zone 4 climates, such as those found in Southeast Alaska. Still, it would have needed to be looked after in a particular way.
- Greenhouses or Controlled Environment: If you can keep the humidity and heat high for relatively long periods of time then you could also grow a hickory tree in a greenhouse or within cold frames. They could at least use a greenhouse to make the season last longer, but it does result in keeping an eye on light and temperature since it’s delicate.
- Growing in-Caution: In the warmer regions of Southcentral Alaska, hickories can be planted in large container pots that allow for better management of the soil environment and addition of nutrients. As for colder season, container plants also be moved sheltered locations.
- Shelter from Wind and to Help Develop a Microclimate: Using windbreaks or possibly planting close to heat-retaining structures may help provide additional warmth and as well keep the tree away from cold freezing winter currents.
- Soil Amendments: Organic matter, compost and mulch can help give hickory seedlings a good start while also improving the fertility of soil and drainage. Unfortunately these tweaks need to be maintained for them to work.
Despite these attempts, hickory is going to be a very slow grower and nut production will be unlikely because of the short growing season.
Hickory Trees You Can Use In Alaska
If you want to try your hand at native nut-producing or fruits hardwood trees that are more adapted to the Alaskan climate, however, there are a few choices:
- PAPER BIRCH Paper birch and Alaska birch, both native species in all except the extreme southwest section of the state, have small seeds. Those nut trees that do not offer something to chew on like hickory are still valued for their wood and bark.
- Alder trees: Alder species native to Alaska such as Sitka alder, fix nitrogen and improve soil. Although they produce no nuts, Alders are relatively fast growing and tough.
- There are multiple species of willow that grow naturally in Alaska. Willows are also adaptable species for cold, wet soils and can be used in multiple applications: windbreaks, erosion control, or biomass production.
Conclusion
Do hickory trees grow in Alaska? Hickory trees occupy a special place in the hearts of those across east of the Mississippi for their hardwood and nuts, but Alaska is just a bit too extreme for this tree to thrive.
Due to short growing seasons, cold temperatures and generally poor soil conditions, hickory trees simply cannot grow in this part of the world. These trees are adapted to the Alaskan environment and play a unique role in the ecosystem.
