Hican facts for kids
A hican is a special kind of tree that grows from a mix of two different trees: a pecan tree and another type of hickory tree. Think of it like a hybrid, which means it has parents from two different kinds of plants. The word "hican" can also mean the nut that grows on this mixed tree.
These unique trees are part of the Carya family. Hicans often grow naturally when a pecan tree and a hickory tree are close enough to share their pollen.
How Hicans are Formed
When a pecan tree and a hickory tree mix their genes, they create a hican. This often happens on its own in nature. However, many of these natural hicans don't produce good nuts. Some might have nuts that are empty inside, or the trees might have other problems.
Why Hicans are Special
Even though many natural hicans aren't perfect, some of them turn out to be very special! These rare hicans get the best qualities from both their pecan and hickory parents. People who grow nuts look for these special trees. They then grow more of them to sell the nuts.
The nuts from these good hicans can be very tasty. Many people say they have a flavor similar to the best hickory nuts. But here's the best part: hican nuts are usually much easier to crack open than regular hickory nuts! This makes them a favorite for snacking.
Different Kinds of Hicans
Just like there are many types of apples, there are different kinds of hicans. Their qualities depend on which specific pecan and hickory trees were their parents.
One older type of hican is called James. This tree came from a mix of a pecan tree (C. illinoiensis) and a shellbark hickory (C. laciniosa). The 'James' hican first grew in Missouri. Nurseries, which are places that grow and sell plants, sold 'James' hicans all over the country. However, this type of hican doesn't always grow many nuts in every place it's planted.
Another well-known hican is called Burton. Many people think the 'Burton' hican produces one of the best-tasting nuts. The 'Burton' nut is usually round and has a thin shell, making it easy to enjoy.
