SCIENTIFIC NAME(s):

Hickory, True Group (Carya ovata, Carya glabra, Carya laciniosa, Carya tomentosa)

Hickory, Pecan Group (Carya cordiformis, Carya illinoensis, Carya aquatica, Carya myristiciformis)

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COMMON NAME(s):

Hickory, Shagbark Hickory, Pignut Hickory, Shellbark Hickory, Mockernut Hickory, Pecan, Bitternut Hickory, Water Hickory, Nutmeg Hickory

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The hickories are an important group within the eastern hardwood forests. Botanically they are split into two groups: the True Hickories and the Pecan Hickories (fruit-bearing). The wood is virtually the same for both and is usually sold together.

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REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Hickory from northern states displays a higher percentage of heartwood and mixed heartwood/sapwood (Calico). Southern Appalachian hickory tends to have a relatively high sapwood content. Pecan hickory is often found mixed in hickory lumber from Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee & Kentucky.

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True Hickories are found throughout the eastern half of the United States. The most important species commercially are Shagbark (Carya ovata), Pignut (Carya glabra), Shellbark (Carya laciniosa), and Mockernut (Carya tomentosa). The greatest commercial production of the true Hickories for all uses is in the Middle Atlantic and Central States, with the Southern and South Atlantic States rapidly expanding to handle nearly half of all Hickory lumber.

 

Species of the Pecan Hickory group include Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis), Pecan (C. illinoensis), Water Hickory (C. aquatica), and Nutmeg Hickory (C. myristiciformis). Bitternut Hickory grows throughout the eastern half of the United States; Pecan Hickory, from central Texas and Louisiana to Missouri and Indiana; Water Hickory, from Texas to South Carolina; and Nutmeg Hickory, in Texas and Louisiana.

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PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:

The sapwood of Hickory is relatively wide and white or nearly white, tinged with brown, while the heartwood is somewhat darker, pale to reddish brown. All the Hickories are heavy. Hickories are well-known for their very good strength and shock resistance, as well as excellent steam-bending properties.

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WORKING PROPERTIES:

The heaviest of American hardwoods, the hickories can be difficult to machine and glue and are very hard to work with hand tools – therefore, care is needed. They hold nails and screws well, but there is a tendency to split, so pre-boring is advised. The wood can be sanded to a good finish, but it can be difficult to dry and has high shrinkage.

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Extremely tough and resilient with the rustic charm of color variety and open grain. Don't be fooled, while hickory can be difficult to manipulate by hand, it looks wonderful when finished.

 

ALTERNATIVES:

Ash, Oak

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COMMON USES:

Heavy Pecan Hickory is used for tool and implement handles and flooring. Many high grade logs are sliced to provide veneer for furniture and decorative paneling, as well as furniture, cabinetry, wooden ladders, dowels, sporting goods. Lower grade Hickory is not suitable for the special uses of high-quality hickory because of knottiness or other growth features and low density. However, the lower grade is useful for pallets and similar items. And Hickory sawdust, chips, and some solid wood are used to flavor meat by smoking.

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GRADE:

NHLA Standard Grade Rules

 

 

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