Tonkin Hickory Plant Care

Tonkin Hickory (Carya tonkinensis) belongs to the Juglandaceae family within the Carya genus. Tonkin Hickory is native to Assam in India, southern China, and northern Indochina.

Tonkin Hickory displays a tall, deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 100 ft tall with a spread of approximately 50 ft. Tonkin Hickory produces inconspicuous greenish-yellow catkins.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Tonkin Hickory every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Tonkin Hickory thrives in full sun.

Carya tonkinensis tolerates temperatures of 50–100°F. Tonkin Hickory prefers humidity levels of 30–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Tonkin Hickory to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Tonkin Hickory every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tonkin Hickory is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Tonkin Hickory can spread to about 50 ft (15.2 m) and reach about 100 ft (30 m) tall. Space plants about 50 ft (15.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Tonkin Hickory while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Tonkin Hickory is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Tonkin Hickory can be propagated through seeds, grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pecan tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Tonkin Hickory is susceptible to walnut caterpillar, walnut husk fly. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Tonkin Hickory grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Tonkin Hickory is native to Assam in India, southern China, and northern Indochina. In cooler regions, grow Tonkin Hickory as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.