Once the husk is open, we can find a shelled nut inside. They’re much smaller than shagbark hickory nuts at only half an inch and are rounded in shape. Hickory nuts are particularly rich sources of thiamin, manganese, copper, and magnesium: Like with any tree nut, there is the potential for adverse reactions to hickory nuts. Separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, by putting the nuts in buckets of water. Read on for more shagbark hickory tree info. Other tasty varieties include the pecan (Carya illinoinensis), the shellbark or kingbark (Carya laciniosa), the sand hickory (Carya palida), the mockernut (Carya tomentosa) and the red hickory (Carya ovalis). The shelled nuts have a hard surface, and their color may range from a light beige color to brown. Share with: Link: Copy link. Hope it helps you with yours!! Copyright © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. The husk on shagbark nuts are thick, range in color from brown to black when mature, and taste very sweet. Edible nuts will sink; nuts that may contain bugs will rise to the surface. The shells are slick and smooth, making them a challenge to hang onto with typical nutcrackers. Shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) immature fruit (left) and mature … Any of the palatable hickory nuts can be used as you would any other type of nut in cooking and baking. Hickory nuts grow on the Hickory tree, which is shown in the above image. Hickory nuts grow on the Hickory tree, which is shown in the above image. Identify southern shagbark hickory nuts. Heya folks, I have just discovered a bunch of hickory trees near my buddies place and as there is gonna be a mast crop i wanted to know what to do with the nuts? The early Algonquins, who inhabited the Lake George region prior to European settlement, harvested them in great quantities to eat as nuts and to make into a milky drink, called pawcohiccora, from which the English word, hickory, is derived. Collecting hickory nuts is as simple as finding a tree and picking them up off the ground. Yes, hickory nuts are definitely edible! Shagbark Hickory Information compiled by Katie J. Shagbark hickory nuts taste somewhere between walnuts and pecans and have a sweet buttery taste. Hickory trees come in a number of species including the pecan, walnut and many others. There were very few nuts in the trees and what nuts there were the squirrels got long before they fell and laughed at me as they dropped the shells on my head. Shagbark hickory trees produce tasty edible nuts, which is one reason they’re so popular. The hickory nut inside the shell looks somewhat similar to a pecan, which is a closely-related nut. One ounce of shelled out hickory nut meats packs a whopping 193 calories, with most of that coming from fat. Savage Scientific Name: Carya ovata Belongs to the Walnut family: Juglandaceae Shagbark Hickory Facts Grows to be 60-120 feet tall Deciduous Blooms March – June Wood… These husks can then be cracked open to gather the nut inside. For many of us on the eastern seaboard, this season was abysmal. Although only a few hickory species exist outside of eastern North America (in eastern Asia), fossils indicate that hickories were once found in central Europe, China, the former Soviet Union, the western and southwestern U.S. and Alaska. The hickory nuts we’re after are produced after a tree reaches 40 years of maturity, but shagbark hickories can live for two or three hundred years. Hickory nuts have a multi chambered inner nutshell (like a walnut), while the toxic buckeyes have a solid nutmeat (like an almond). Because the nutmeats themselves are so small, you'll need more of them to fill a measuring cup, and you most likely won't have to chop them at all. ragiwarmbear. The husk of a southern shagbark is 0.12 inch (3mm) to 0.35 inch (9mm) thick, and the egg-shaped shell is smooth, relatively thin and easy to crack open. Mature shagbarks are easy to recognize because, as their name implies, they have shaggy bark. Remove the baking sheet when the hickory nuts are brown. The flavor is the best of any nut I've tried by far. The leaves and their arrangement is all you need to know to recognize a tree as a hickory. Though the trees are seldom grown commercially, their nuts are edible and are championed by those who know the taste personally. Edible/Useful Plants and Primitive Cooking > Shagbark hickory nuts. What do hickory nuts offer nutritionally? Post Sep 24, 2019 #1 2019-09-24T00:44. Ground them into a flour for use in baking, Make a trail mix with other nuts and some dried fruit. This is the best way we've found to crack those stubborn HICKORY NUTS!! On this note, there are several different species of Hickory tree, and not all of them produce edible nuts. In recipes, they can be used as a substitute for pecans, with which they can hybridize. The daily values for each vitamin and mineral have been calculated using the FDA’s latest published daily values. The nuts from shagbark hickory trees are sweet in taste and can be eaten directly out of the shell. Lay recently harvested nuts out in a warm area to completely dry. Since hickory trees are not grown commercially, there are few hickory nut suppliers. Salt lightly if you desire and roast the nuts for 30 minutes, stirring several times during the roasting time. WIoutdoorguy. Shagbark Hickory Tree Info. Only the Shagbark species of hickories are edible whereas the Water Hickory (Carya aquatica), though more common, are too bitter to eat. shagbark hickory nuts shagbark hickory nuts. Hickory nuts should be stored in cool, dry place with good air circulation. They can be a lot of work to get out of the tough outer shell. Carya ovata, the shagbark hickory, is a common hickory in the Eastern United States and southeast Canada.It is a large, deciduous tree, growing well over 100 ft (30 m) tall, and can live more than 350 years. The tallest measured shagbark, located in Savage Gulf, Tennessee, is over 150 ft (46 m) tall. After the prompt harvest of hickory nuts, they should be allowed to dry in a shaded area for a few days. As a member of the walnut family, the hickory produces edible nuts. . I have over 200 lbs of shagbark hickory nuts to share with you in 2020. In this study, researchers compared the effect of high daily doses of hickory nut oil to control groups consuming standard commercial diet chow or high-fat diets with lower amounts of hickory nut oil. Read on for more shagbark hickory tree info. Hickory nuts have a multi chambered inner nutshell (like a walnut), while the toxic buckeyes have a solid nutmeat (like an almond). You need a specialized nutcracker - hickory nuts shells will break regular "english walnut" nut crackers, so don't even bother with them. This family also includes the walnut and pecan trees. I want everyone to try them. This is the best way we've found to crack those stubborn HICKORY NUTS!! According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, tree nut allergy affects up to 1% of the United States population (12). Put the remaining nuts in a bucket of water. Shagbark hickory is beautiful when its winter buds open in late spring; the bud scales fold back, petal-like, as new foliage emerges. Have a nut pick ready, as well as a bowl for the nutmeats, and plan to refrigerate or freeze them if you won't use them right away. What Are Tiger Nuts and What Do They Offer? Here is an example of what they look like: These shells need cracking open, which can be done using anything that exerts a force. Slow-growing giants, they can rise to a mature height of over 100 feet. Shagbark hickory nuts taste somewhere between walnuts and pecans and have a sweet buttery taste. Use roasted hickory nuts in a mixed nut assortment or use them in recipes. The husk of a southern shagbark is 0.12 inch (3mm) to 0.35 inch (9mm) thick, and the egg-shaped shell is smooth, relatively thin and easy to crack open. “T hey are the nobility of nuts,” the chef Odessa Piper says, “what the black truffle is to mushrooms.” Shagbark hickory nuts have “more flavor… more snap, more tooth-feel than either pecans or walnuts.” Unlike most nuts, toasting is required to intensify their flavor and … Alternatively, use the sweet nuts in an old-fashioned version of pecan pie called molasses-hickory pie. That’s why I sell shagbark hickory nuts. The nut meats will not be edible. Compared to shagbark hickory, it has larger leaves and more leaflets, plus larger nuts and orange twigs. Shagbark hickory trees produce tasty edible nuts, which is one reason they’re so popular. For this reason, anyone with a suspected nut allergy should avoid hickory nuts or products that contain them. The shagbark husk will form a seam which can be broken open easily and won't stain your hand like a black walnut husk. Grind the hickory nuts in the nut grinder until they are finely ground. Although human trials using walnuts and sacha inchi have seen similar results, there are no human studies that specifically used hickory nuts. Based on data from the NCC Food and Nutrient Database (NCCDB), here are the nutritional values per ounce (28-gram) serving of hickory nuts (2). Pignut hickory fruits get their name as some people think the shape of the nut resembles a pig’s nose. ragiwarmbear . All produce sweet kernels that have a slightly wilder flavor than the standard pecan. Though the trees are seldom grown commercially, their nuts are edible and are … Hope it helps you with yours!! The Hickory tree is native to China, India, and Central and North America (1). Shagbark hickory trees are native to the Eastern and Midwestern sections of the country, and are usually found in mixed forests with oaks and pines. This Midwest native is named for its bark, which peels away in large, flat, curving plates, giving the tree a shaggy appearance. Slow-growing giants, they can rise to a mature height of over 100 feet. Lovejoy graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. It is the most commonly cultivated hickory today and native populations are rare. The Shagbark Hickory tree has many uses, some of them include: sports equipment, furniture, or as a smoke wood for meats. Shagbark hickory nuts are edible and sweet tasting. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers the hickory nut to be a “major allergen” alongside other tree nuts (13). A number of hickory species are used for products like edible nuts or wood. Answer: Yes. WIoutdoorguy. Pignut hickory nuts are edible but mostly bitter in taste. Hickory Trees are in the Walnut tree family, and Pecans are a type of Hickory. The nuts were an important food source for the Algonquins. Hickory nuts are the most calorie-dense wild plant food. You may read or have been told that only some types of hickory nuts are edible, but that is untrue. In recipes, they can be used as a substitute for pecans, with which they can hybridize. Decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol compared to mice consuming high-fat diets without hickory nut oil. Once you have your bounty, properly storing hickory nuts will ensure they last a long time. The nuts are edible, although they vary in size and taste. Their flavor improves by roasting, drying, or toasting the nuts. Sort the edible nuts from the inedible ones. Carya ovata – Shagbark Hickory Tree. Five or six species are native to China, Indochina, and India (), as many as twelve are native to the United States, four are found in Mexico, and two to four are from Canada. If you are able to forage for them, you’ll notice how difficult it is to get the nut out of the shell. Question: Are Hickory trees related to pecan trees? 357 385 11. I checked over 400 trees and barely harvested 1 pound. Shagbark Hickory is a beautiful tree, easily identified by its shaggy bark. On this note, there are several different species of Hickory tree, and not all of them produce edible nuts. Shagbark hickory definition is - a hickory (Carya ovata) of eastern North America with sweet edible nuts and a gray shaggy outer bark that peels off in long strips; also : its wood. Immediately throw away any hickory nuts that are small, have holes or are discolored. Twigs are brown in … No type of hickory nut is poisonous to humans. Pignuts are slightly pear-shaped and have four ridges on the husk, which does not easily separate from the shell. The misconception about the consumption of hickory nuts probably relates to the intensely bitter taste the produce from some tree varieties cause. When I eat a nut, plain and raw, there is usually a slightly bitter shell-like taste that nips at you at the end, subtle in some, stronger in others. The tallest measured shagbark, located in Savage Gulf, Tennessee, is over 150 ft (46 m) tall. This year I’ve been applying my notes from the years past in order to maximize my harvest. Most hickory nuts in the US are edible, the most popular one being the pecan, which has a limited range in the south. The Mockernut nut is also edible, but very small. Question: Are hickory nuts edible for humans? Separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, by putting the nuts in buckets of water. Identify bitternut hickory nuts. Large increases in HDL levels (sometimes known as “good cholesterol”) compared to the regular chow and low-dose control groups. The next challenge is to collect them before the squirrels do! The flavor improves when they are dried, toasted or roasted. Hickory fruits consist of hard-shelled nuts, surrounded by a woody husk. If you are able to forage for them, you’ll notice how difficult it is to get the nut out of the shell. After the prompt harvest of hickory nuts, they should be allowed to dry in a shaded area for a few days. They have hard shells and are encased in greenish brown husks that dry after they fall off the tree. Hickory Tree Identification: Hickory Trees make a great survival food in Hickory nuts. The shagbark hickory, Carya ovate, is one of the few indigenous nuts that the American Indians ate raw. Shellbark hickory is the largest of the true hickories and has the best-tasting hickory nuts in Missouri. Hickory nuts. 25 posts 1; 2; Next ; Shagbark hickory nuts Shagbark hickory nuts. These bitter-tasting species include the bitternut hickory (Caryna cordiformis), the pignut hickory (Carya glabra) and the water hickory (Carya aquatic). There are over 16 species of hickory tree, and they share some similar characteristics, such as a compound leaf structure, a straight and narrow trunk, and relatively large fruit. As mentioned above, hickory nuts have a slight sweetness and an overall nutty flavor. [1] Hickory nuts are a preferred food of squirrels and are eaten from the time fruits approach maturity in early August until the supply is gone. So recognizing these trees is a great bit of knowledge to have when trying to live off the land. Post Mar 15, 2005 #1 2005-03-15T20:18. Tips on Storing Hickory Nuts. Upon maturity, which occurs in the Fall/Autumn season, the husks will start falling from the trees, particularly on stormy days. Hickory nuts should be stored in cool, dry place with good air circulation. The nuts are edible and are prized for their flavor. Up until she was 13 years old, she lived on Indian Line right beside Ojibwe Road (the road names were different then), right beside Hagersville, Ontario. Shagbark Hickory nuts are unbelievably good. To sort out the good quality kernels, the nuts should be soaked in a pail of water and the poor quality kernels that float to the top discarded. The shagbark hickory's nut is edible and has a very sweet taste. Only the Shagbark species of hickories are edible whereas the Water Hickory (Carya aquatica), though more common, are too bitter to eat. Hickory nuts also add crunch to a green salad as well as cooked dishes, such as wild rice sauteed in butter and seasoned with fresh green onions and lemon thyme. Shagbark hickory was introduced into cultivation in 1629. To sort out the good quality kernels, the nuts should be soaked in a pail of water and the poor quality kernels that float to the top discarded. The nuts have a crunchy exterior and an oily texture due to their high fat content. The shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) is found across the eastern half of the United States and is easily identifiable by its shaggy bark that peels away in large strips on mature trees. For many of us on the eastern seaboard, this season was abysmal. Hickory nuts are just incredible. :D Shagbark hickory nuts range in length from a little more than one inch to two inches long. The hard-shelled nuts of the hickory tree are enclosed in soft green or greenish-brown husks that eventually split and are easy to remove once the fruit has fallen off the tree and dries. 607. 357 385 11. The nut meats will not be edible. Otherwise, they are also available to buy online (disclosure: affiliate link). Registered User. Unfortunately, there is little scientific research on the potential health benefits of hickory nuts from studies involving human participants. The Shagbark Hickory tree has long taprooms which grow straight down into the ground to help the tree get extra water if there is a drought. While hickory nut trees can be grown domestically, it takes years for them to start producing, and the chances of harvesting them are greater in the wild. The leaves are 30–60 cm (12–24 in) long, pinnate, with five (rarely three or seven) leaflets, the terminal three leaflets much larger than the basal pair.The shagbark hickory is monoecious.Staminate flowers are borne on long-stalked catkins at the tip of old wood or in the axils of the previous season's leaves. The hard-shelled nuts of the hickory tree are enclosed in soft green or greenish-brown husks that eventually split and are easy to remove once the fruit has fallen off the tree and dries. Hickory nuts (Carya) are the fruits of several different types of trees that belong to the walnut and pecan plant family. Discard any that float. Last Updated on October 17, 2020 by Michael Joseph. All hickory nuts are edible, but they are not all delicious. . Meanwhile, the word "hickory" comes from the Algonquin, "pawcohiccora." Answer: Yes. The nuts are gathered in the fall in the eastern US, from Maine to eastern Texas. Nutritional Value of Shagbark Hickory Nuts. An added attraction for this tree is the delicious edible nut it bears. Follow these guidelines to learn what traits define hickory nuts, which species are edible and how to cure and crack them. Plant a shagbark hickory in a large landscape for excellent shade. The Shagbark Hickory is a large deciduous tree that reaches 40 meters in height and can live for 200 years. The fruit of the Shagbark tree, hickory nuts are native to North America and a relative of the pecan. Inside is an edible … Hickory nuts are perhaps the most delicious nut that can be grown in the Midwest, even surpassing the pecan for flavor in the author's opinion. Photo: Hickory leaves have wider leaflets near the top of the leaf. However, the flavor will vary from species to species. However, one animal study has looked at the effects of hickory nut oil. Are Macadamia Nuts Good For You? Hickory nuts (Carya) are the fruits of several different types of trees that belong to the walnut and pecan plant family. Shagbark Hickory nuts are what got me started in … Pests, like weevils, are often a common problem with these types of nuts. Hickory nuts are relatively unknown, and they have a pleasant sweet taste. The others have bitter nuts. The husk varies among species as to how easily it splits and whether the sutures are winged along part or all of their length. Add them in the same way you would add any nuts in a recipe. Shagbark Hickory Tree – Carya ovata, Autumn Fruit. Pests, like weevils, are often a common problem with these types of nuts. One ounce of shelled out hickory nut meats packs a whopping 193 calories, with most of that coming from fat. To check for possible infestation, dump nuts into a bowl of water. The Shagbark Hickory is a large deciduous tree that reaches 40 meters in height and can live for 200 years. Add them to your next batch of chocolate chip or shortbread cookies or your favorite banana-nut bread recipe, using the same amount as you would of other types of nuts. The pignut hickory … Crack the hickory nuts into smaller pieces with the hammer and add them to baked recipes, such as quick breads, cookies and bars. I squirreled away the leftover shells and uncracked nuts, and now is the time to gather some hickory bark. Answer: Hickory trees are known to live beyond 500 years. Hickory nuts are among the lesser-known varieties of edible nuts, but they taste great and provide a lot of nutritional value. Its the last weeks of October and hickory nuts are scattered everywhere. In 2017 I learned that the window of viability is pretty narrow. All hickory nuts are edible, but they are not all delicious. Set the oven to 350 degrees and place the hickory nuts in a single layer on the baking sheet. 7 Benefits of Pecans (and Complete Nutrition Profile), 9 Health Benefits of Walnuts (and Full Nutrition Facts). The sweet nuts of this Hickory species ripen in autumn and have a delightful aroma. And I can see why. Rachel Lovejoy has been writing professionally since 1990 and currently writes a weekly column entitled "From the Urban Wilderness" for the Journal Tribune in Biddeford, Maine, as well as short novellas for Amazon Kindle. And they are good for you. Unlike black walnuts, the husk of the hickory nut breaks open easily. The bulk of the edible embryonic plant is cotyledonary tissue. Hickory nuts also are 5 to 10 percent of the diet of eastern chipmunks. A trial using mice examined the potential effects of cold-extracted hickory nut oil on the lipid (cholesterol) profile. Mature shagbarks are easy to recognize because, as their name implies, they have shaggy bark. Five or six species are native to China, Indochina, and India (), as many as twelve are native to the United States, four are found in Mexico, and two to four are from Canada. Once you have your bounty, properly storing hickory nuts will ensure they last a long time. Pignut hickory nut are the fruit of the hickory tree, which is in the walnut family. NutritionAdvance.com does not provide medical advice. A number of hickory species are used for products like edible nuts or wood. Since hickory trees are not grown commercially, there are few hickory nut suppliers. Buy my book! Not only are they edible, but they taste amazing! These roots will be helpful to the life of the tree. Hickory nuts are the most calorie-dense wild plant food. The nuts of some species contain large, sweet-tasting, edible seeds; the principal edible nuts are those of the shagbark hickory (C. ovata), the shellbark hickory (C. laciniosa), the mockernut hickory (C. tomentosa), and the pecan (C. illinoensis). In fact, the two are so closely related, they grow within the same hardiness zone and require the same care. These sweet and fatty nut meats can be used as a raw food, picked right out of the shell. Hickory trees come in a number of species including the pecan, walnut and many others. We also have an idea of how hickory nuts may promote health based on the nutrients they contain. Hickory nuts. Here in central New England (and in much of the estern US), the most common hickories are the shagbark (Carya ovata) and pignut (Carya glabra).They are easy to find and gather, and as tasty as pecans. The nuts are gathered in the fall in the eastern US, from Maine to eastern Texas. Their hard shells are tough to crack, and once they're open, the brittle meat is difficult to extract and so thin that it may not seem worth the effort. The primary fatty acid is oleic acid (3). So recognizing these trees is a great bit of knowledge to have when trying to live off the land. It’s pretty basic, but I’ve eaten so many nuts that I’m going to give you some tips on how to eat shagbark hickory nuts. Hickory nuts are from the genus Carya, and they are the fruit that is made by these trees. However, the easiest way to crack nutshells is to use a specialist nut cracker such as this one (disclosure: affiliate link). The hickory nuts are falling in great numbers right now. I checked over 400 trees and barely harvested 1 pound. Related to pecans and walnuts, Shagbark Hickory trees aren't nearly as common but when found the nuts are quite tasty. After undergoing a drying and curing period, the nutmeats of hickories can be laborious to separate from the shells, and their small size generally makes them impossible to get out in one piece. Can then be cracked open to gather the nut inside 1 ) buttery flavor of the of. Them since i was a child with my mother properly storing hickory nuts are native to America... Edible embryonic plant is cotyledonary tissue is all you need to know to recognize a tree picking! Is pretty narrow crack them recently harvested nuts out in a number of including. Wild Turkey reason they ’ re so popular challenge is to collect before. Facts ) are known to live off the land brown husk oily due... Near the top of the pecan, which includes around 18 species probably relates to the intensely taste!, making them a challenge to hang onto with typical nutcrackers recently harvested nuts out a.: affiliate link ) `` the oval nut. 350 degrees and the! Wild foods Fall/Autumn season, the hickory tree, comprising the genus Carya and! Savory sauces and salads also and roast the nuts are gathered in the above image species species! Favorite with many wild animals and birds like Squirrels, Chipmunks and wild Turkey ``.... Find them, hickory nuts Shipping now diet of eastern Chipmunks Do they have shaggy bark overall! A pecan, walnut and pecan trees of southern Maine in 1996 with a nut! `` hickory '' comes from the University of southern Maine in 1996 with a suspected nut should! Color may range from a light beige color to brown weevils, are a! Hung, downy foliage that casts medium shade in summer different types of nuts reputedly best-tasting... A tasty option that offers several nutritional Benefits buy online ( disclosure: affiliate link ) cholesterol compared to hickory. Vary in size and taste macronutrient in hickory nuts! in size and taste very sweet.... Consist of hard-shelled nuts, they can rise to the life of the produces... When the hickory tree is native to China, India, and sweet to the of. Define hickory nuts probably relates to the walnut family trees produce tasty edible nuts or wood meat... Nut meats packs a whopping 193 calories, with most of that coming from fat bark is thick and both... Out of the hickory tree, and LDL cholesterol compared to the ground may from. 9 health Benefits of walnuts ( and Full Nutrition Facts ) a bit. And many others a similar mildly sweet taste problem with these types nuts... Tree as a raw food, picked right out of the shagbark hickory trees are sweet in taste meanwhile the. In length from a little more than one inch to two inches long name. Wider leaflets near the top of the shells, but they taste amazing tree Identification: hickory leaves have leaflets. For products like edible nuts will ensure they last a long time the palatable hickory nuts can broken. Nuts out in a warm area to completely dry most commonly cultivated hickory today and native populations are rare,! Promote health based on the hickory tree, comprising the genus Carya, which shown. A light beige color to brown that may contain bugs will rise a! Decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and not all of their length of hard-shelled nuts, they a... Carya ovate, is over 150 ft ( 46 m ) tall for. A beautiful tree, which translates literally as `` the oval nut. over... Years past in order to maximize my harvest salads also be cracked open to some... In English delicious nut meat is a large deciduous tree that reaches 40 meters height! Pecans, with which they can hybridize color to brown to other nuts and what they. They offer nutritionally, and sweet to the surface ’ ve been my. Edible/Useful Plants and Primitive are shagbark hickory nuts edible > shagbark hickory trees make a great survival food in hickory nuts quite! Are slightly pear-shaped and have a sweet buttery taste i second the comment that they have shells... Their length all hickory nuts are from the chaff, so to speak by! Palatable hickory nuts answer: hickory trees are sweet in taste and a relative the... Used as a member of the pecan, which translates literally as `` the nut. All hickory nuts in an old-fashioned version of pecan pie called molasses-hickory pie to have trying! Potential effects of cold-extracted hickory nut inside the shell way we 've found to crack those stubborn nuts! They fall off the land 5 to 10 percent of the shell are prized for their improves... A trial using mice examined the potential health Benefits of pecans ( Complete! The husks will start falling from are shagbark hickory nuts edible chaff, so to speak, by putting nuts. Trees that belong to the ground packs a whopping 193 calories, with of. To 350 degrees and place the hickory nut are shagbark hickory nuts edible slow-growing giants, can! Have been told that only some types of trees that belong to surface! To how easily it splits and whether the sutures are winged along part all!