Happy Families (Cooperative Plant Guilds)

A Happy Family of Native, Beneficial Plants Surrounding Hickories

Nothing herein or in any related content should be taken as medical advice, nor as a diagnosis or a prescription in any form.

As we support or intentionally plant guilds of native plants, we nurture our natural capital. 

Hickories are keystone species, providing food,  habitat, and shade, and contributing significantly to biodiversity, improved soil health, and ecosystem harmony.

There are six native* hickory (Carya) species with varied growing preferences, most growing to approximately 60-100 feet at maturity.  Of these six, the species that produce nuts that we tend to eat include mockernut, shagbark, and shellbark/ kingnut.   *Here, native refers to the east, north-central Midwest.

The shagbark hickory (Carya ovata), for example, is one of the dominant tree species in the upper Midwest, along with other hickories as well as oaks (Quercus spp.).  Trees that can also be commonly found around hickories in natural settings include maples (red and sugar: Acer spp.), redbud (Cercis canadensis, with edible flowers), American basswood (Tilia americana, with edible, young leaves), and others.

Shrubs, brambles and vines that can commonly be found around hickories in natural settings include serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.), currants and gooseberries (Ribes spp.), blackberries and raspberries (Rubus spp.), blueberries and huckleberries (Vaccinium spp.) – each with edible berries – along with hawthorn (Crataegus spp., many with pectin-rich fruit), wild grapes (Vitis spp., with edible fruit, but be certain to identify properly), and hazelnuts (Corylus spp., with edible nuts). 

In the understory, wild ginger (Asarum canadense, with edible roots used as a substitute for ginger) can commonly be found.

Since these plants form natural guilds, the bulk of their needs – such as for soil enrichment, pollination, etc. – are often, naturally met.  And native plants tend to use fewer resources, require less maintenance, and tend to fare better over time, as they have evolved to better-withstand regional stresses, including weather and predation.

Supporting these natural guilds – or modeling created ones after them – often produces great results. 

Plants that might be beneficial to add for additional nitrogen fixation, depending on the site conditions, could include northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) or groundnut (Apios Americana, with edible tubers).   

For additional fruit, persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), elderberry (Sambucus spp.) and pawpaw (Asimina triloba) could be good additions, along with wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), an edible groundcover.  As each are flowering plants, they further support pollinators. 

Note that while some fruiting plants can tolerate partial shade, most fruiting plants tend to yield better with sufficient sunlight.  As such, locating fruiting plants on or near the sun-facing edges of the guild or in lightly dappled light is encouraged.  An exception here is pawpaw, who tends to prefer protection from strong western, summer sun when young. 

Adding Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum spp.) brings edible young shoots and rootstock to the site.  Wood nettle (Laportaea canadensis) and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) add edible greens (wear gloves when harvesting!).

Another nice addition (if not naturally present) are ramps (Allium tricoccum).  Ramps have edible leaves and bulbs, which are ideally harvested only in limited quantities (especially bulbs) to preserve the species.  Sourcing seeds and spreading them in the deciduous shade of your guild is a good way to increase populations of this precious, natural resource. 

Alliums (along with mints, wormwood and other plants) are also known to help deter mischievous insects and predators with their scent (considered “pest confusers”), while attracting beneficial pollinators. 

Alliums (of which there are several native species, including wild chives (Allium schoenoprasum), nodding onion (A. cernuum), wild leak (A. burdickii), meadow garlic (A. canadense), and the aforementioned ramps, each additionally offer culinary options.

Whenever creating guilds or adding to existing ones, keep in mind that plants need light, water and nutrients to thrive.  Understanding the needs of each plant species and selecting and placing them appropriately (keeping in mind maturing canopies and root depths) is key to long-term success.