The climate where mockernut hickory grows is usually humid. Many birds and animals feed on the nuts of mockernut hickory. However, most of the merchantable mockernut grows on moderately fertile upland soils. Mockernut seedlings are not fast-growing. True hickories such as mockernut develop a long taproot with few laterals. Some fungi grow on mockernut hickory roots, sharing nutrients from the soil. Mockernut readily hybridizes with tetraploid C. texana. Mockernut hickory is used for tool handles requiring high shock resistance. Mockernut hickory is a large, true hickory with a dense crown. Mockernut hickory is host to anthracnose ("Gnomonia caryae"). However, mockernut root stock grew slowly and reduced the growth of pecan tops. Mockernut hickory is monoecious - male and female flowers are produced on the same tree. Mockernut hickory requires a minimum of 25 years to reach commercial seed-bearing age. The hickory bark beetle probably destroys more sawtimber-size mockernut trees than any other insect. Mockernut hickory is associated with the eastern oak-hickory forest and the beech-maple forest.