Habitat: Mesic to dry upland forests and woodlands; tolerant of a range of soil chemistries, occurring widely on base-rich to extremely infertile substrates; ascends to about 1070 m (3500 ft) elevation in the mountains. Common throughout Virginia
Wildlife Value: Host plant for Banded Hairstreak (Satyrium calanus) larvae. This is a larval host plant for butterflies and moths. It also supports Hickory Horndevil (Citheronia regalis). The nuts are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks and black bears. Fruit is consumed by wood ducks, red-bellied woodpeckers, red fox, squirrels, beaver, eastern cottontail, eastern chipmunk, turkey, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and white-footed mice. Provide cavities for woodpeckers, black ratsnake, raccoons, and carolina chickadees
Note: Messy
High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife
My Native Garden
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