Water Hickory is a fairly common large tree of wet bottomland forests in the Coastal Plain. They tend to have more leaflets (9-11) than the similar Bitternut Hickory (7-9 leaflets) and lack Bitternut's yellow buds.

Columbus Co., NC 7/19/03.

The leaves also tend to be a little more strongly curved (falcate).

The Sand Hickory also has 9 leaflets but has yellowish buds, grows in dry habitats, has silvery leaf undersides, and spicily fragrant leaves.

Greenville, NC 11/6/05.

The nuts are flattened.

Greenville, NC 11/6/05.

The bark tends to be a little shaggy.