Skip to main content

Hickory

Hickory

 Shop Specialty Wood 

Family: Juglandaceae, Carya (of the Walnut family)

Origin: Eastern North America

Other common names: Red Hickory, Spicebark Hickory, Sweet Pignut Hickory, Shagbark Hickory, Southern Shagbark Hickory, Carolina Hickory

The tree: Hickory trees grow 60-80 feet tall, with a trunk base 3-4 feet in diameter, and produces oval-shaped nuts. The small, yellow-green spring flowers are pollinated by the wind. 

Appearance: Bands of light cream contrast with reddish brown heartwood.

Density: One of the most dense hardwoods. The average reported specific gravity is about .82 (ovendry weight/green volume), equal to an air-dried weight of 50 pcf. Janka hardness is 1,880 pounds of force.

Drying & shrinkage: Hickory shrinks more in the drying process than other woods like maple or poplar.  Average reported shrinkage values (green to ovendry) are 7% radial, 10.5% tangential.

Working properties: This is a very difficult wood to work with, because of its density. The wood responds well to steam bending. 

Durability: Hickory is one of the strongest hardwoods in North America, because of that, anything built from hickory is sure to last. 

Uses: This wood is generally used for furniture and tool handles, because of it's tough durability. 

Availability: Hickory wood is readily available in the United States.