Diseases are ordinarily unimportant to water hickory. Vegetative reproduction- Stumps less than and severed roots of water hickory readily sprout. Water hickory is occasionally damaged by insects. Water control projects that prolong spring flooding tend to favor water hickory. As a result, thickets and clumps of water hickory are not unusual. Diameter growth of water hickory is slow for southern species, per year. Water hickory regenerates aggressively from seeds and sprouts. Water hickory is classed as intermediate in shade tolerance. Water hickory is occasionally planted or retained In natural stands for a shade tree. Water hickory, like other hickories, grows a taproot in the seedling stage. Swamp hickory ("Carya glabra") and water hickory ("Carya aquatica") are also found here. Water hickory tends to support more mistletoe (Phoradendron serotinum) than any of its associated species.