Hickory Wood
Hickory;
Quick Facts:
|
Common Name’s |
Hickory |
|
Scientific Name |
Carya |
|
Tree size in length |
65-100 feet/ 20-30 meter |
|
Tree size in diameter |
1-2 feet/30-60 cm |
|
Average dried weight |
50 lbs per cubic ft/ 800 kg per cubic meter |
|
Shrinkage radial |
7.0% |
|
Shrinkage tangential |
10.5% |
|
Shrinkage volumetric |
16.7% |
|
Odor |
No characteristic odor |
|
Sustainability |
This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, and is reported by the IUCN as being a species of least concern. |
General Info:
Heartwood tends to be light to medium brown, with a reddish hue; sapwood is a paler yellowish brown. Boards with contrasting heartwood and sapwood create a somewhat rustic appearance that’s sometimes marketed as Calico Hickory.
Grain/Texture:
Grain is usually straight, though occasionally wavy, with a medium texture.
Workability:
Difficult to work, with tearout being common during machining operations if cutting edges are not kept sharp; the wood tends to blunt cutting edges. Glues, stains, and finishes well. Responds well to steam bending.
Notes/Comments:
Hickory is among the hardest and strongest of woods native to the United States. On average, Hickory is denser, stiffer, and harder than either White Oak or Hard Maple. The wood is commonly used where strength or shock-resistance is important.
Shagbark Hickory falls into the True-Hickory grouping, and is considered to be a ring-porous wood. The strength characteristics of Hickory are influenced considerably by the spacing of its growth rings. In general, wood from faster-growing trees, with wider spaced growth rings, tends to be harder, heavier, and stronger than wood from slower-growing trees that have rings which are closer together.
In addition to strength and hardness applications, the wood of Carya species also has a very high thermal energy content when burned, and is sometimes used as fuelwood for wood stoves. Additionally, Hickory is also used as charcoal in cooking meat, with the smoke imparting additional flavor to the food.
Related Species:
Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)
Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa)
Nutmeg Hickory (Carya myristiciformis)
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)
Shellbark Hickory (Carya laciniosa)
Water Hickory (Carya aquatica)
