AMERICAN HICKORY American hickory and pecan are different species of a very diverse group, but in the round (log) they are virtually indistinguishable from each other and therefore often processed by saw mills and sold mixed together. LATIN NAME Carya spp OTHER COMMON NAMES Often referred to as pecan in the South.

FOREST DISTRIBUTION

COMPARE SPECIES

The hickories are an important group and the trees grow naturally throughout the Eastern U.S., from north to south. They are split into two groups; the more important true hickories and hickories producing pecan nuts, the latter being an important fruit-bearing tree. Trees vary in size enormously.

MATERIAL AVAILABILITY

COMPARE SPECIES

Hickory sawn lumber is readily available in export grades, but sold unselected for colour and mixed. The NHLA FAS grade permits a minimum width of 4 inches (101.6mm). The lower NHLA grades (1 & 2 Common) can produce an attractive and fashionable rustic look. Lumber is mainly produced in thinner stock (4/4” & 5/4) although a limited amount of thicker material may be available.

WOOD DESCRIPTION

COMPARE SPECIES

The wood of hickory varies greatly in colour, grain pattern and appearance from this very diverse group. It is fine textured and the grain is usually straight but can be wavy or irregular. The sapwood is white and maybe tinged with brown, while the heartwood is pale to yellow brown to dark in colour. Deep purple mineral streaks are a natural characteristic. Bird pecks are also a common characteristic and neither is considered a defect.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

The wood of hickories is rather coarse and varies from strong to less strong but is heavy and very hard. It has good bending strength, shock resistance and excellent steam bending properties.

0.75 Specific Gravity(12% M.C.)	8,333kg/m3 Average Weight(12% M.C.)	14.30% Average Volume Shrinkage(Green to 6% M.C.)
138.59MPa Modulus of Rupture	15,583MPa Modulus of Elasticity	63.37MPa Compressive strength (parallel to grain)
0N Hardness

Oiled / Un-Oiled Appearance

COMPARE SPECIES

PERFORMANCE

COMPARE SPECIES

● Hickory is considered difficult to machine and glue, and very hard to work with hand tools. It will hold nails and screws well but tends to split so pre-boring is advised. The wood can be sanded and polished to a good finish. It can be difficult to dry and has large shrinkage, which may affect stability under variable moisture conditions and in wider width material.

● The wood is non-resistant to heartwood decay and classed as moderately resistant to preservative treatment.

MAIN USES

COMPARE SPECIES

Furniture, cabinetry, ladders, striking tool handles dowels and sporting goods. Traditionally used by wheelwrights and for making drumsticks. The hardwearing properties of hickory make it an excellent choice for flooring, especially in situations of high traffic use. Historically the first wooden golf club shafts were made from hickory, and NHLA lumber graders still use the traditional flexible hickory measuring stick.

EAXMPLE OF USE