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Hickory

Hickory is related to the pecan tree, and if you cut a piece of Hickory, you would not be able to tell the difference between a pecan tree and a hickory.  Hickory while not quite as stable as some of the other woods, is quite hard.  The grain of the hickory is closed and tighter together, so if you like the look of a grainy wood, but not too grainy like the oak, then Hickory is for you.  It also comes in a wide variety of colour because the sapwood is a white, creamy colour, and can be easily stained.

Botanical Name: Carya

Nicknames: Tough Nut

Growth
There are about 15 species of hickories, most of which are native to North America.  The Hickory is a deciduous tree and bears nuts which are not very tasty and for the most part are only used for animal feed.
 
Colour
The heartwood is tan or reddish; sapwood is white to cream, with fine brown lines.
 
Grain
The hickory grain is closed, with moderate definition and a somewhat rough-texture.
Stability
Hickory shrinks quite significantly in the drying process compared to other common North American Species. The Radial (average 7%) and Tangential(11%) Shrinkage from green wood to oven dry moisture content compared to a traditional Northern Red Oak Hardwood with a radial shrinkage of 4%, and tangential of 8%.For this reason it is important to buy hickory hardwood flooring from a reputable manufacture that has taken the time to dry the wood properly... otherwise it will be drying AND twisting in your home.  To avoid shrinkage, DO NOT acclimatize or acclimate your hickory.
 
Hardness   
Hickory is one "tough nut" and its "tough guy" reputation still precedes it.  The hickory is a very dense, stiff, hard and shock resistant wood. This combination of strength and toughness is not found in any other commercial wood.

Fun Facts
  • Due to its stiffness and toughness, used for lacrosse stick handles, drumsticks and golf club shafts, still called the "hickory stick even if made of steel or graphite
  • Baseball bats are now made of ash but the old tried and true classics of the game still cherished today are made of hickory
  • Hickory wood has a pungent smokey, bacon type flavour and are used, particularly in the Southern States where they grow in a abundance for barbecuing

 
Hickory Diamond Standard Ratings

Janka 1820  Select

Character		 Semi-gloss

Low-Sheen		 Harvested
from North
America 

 


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