Pignut hickory (Carya glabra)

Pignut hickory, also known as Smoothbark hickory, Sweet pignut

The pignut hickory tree, native to the Eastern United States, is named for its small, bitter nuts, which were traditionally considered suitable only for pigs and other animals to eat. Despite the unpalatable nuts, the wood of the pignut hickory is prized for its strength and flexibility, making it ideal for tool handles and sporting equipment.