Hickory Hardwood Technical Species Information

Detailed scientific and mechanical properties for Hickory Hardwood Lumber

Hickory

Description: The distinctive and numerous shades of brown inherent in a Hickory hardwood floor create remarkable contrasts that, along with its intricate grain patterns, are nothing short of spectacular. Not only is Hickory flooring naturally striking in the aesthetic sense, but it is also the hardest of all North American woods. Hickory flooring has been admired for quite some time in the U.S. and abroad for both its beauty and strength, being traditionally used for decorative paneling and furniture veneer as well as for tool handles and pallets. Because of this combination of durability and powerful color contrasts, Hickory makes a versatile and attractive flooring material well-suited for any style of home.
More Info: Hickory is among the hardest and strongest of woods native to the United States. On average, Hickory flooring is denser, stiffer, and harder than either White Oak or Hard Maple. The wood is commonly used where strength or shock-resistance is important.
Other Names: Pecan Carya spp, Bitter pecan, Hickory, Pecan hickory, Sweet pecan, Nutmeg Hickory, Bitternut, Bitternut hickory, Swamp hickory, Water hickory, Wild pecan, Bitter pecan Nogal morado, Nuez encarcelada
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Janka Hardness: 1,820 pounds
Strength (MOR): 13,700 psi
Stiffness (MOE): 1,730 1000 psi
Density (KG/m3): 620
Color: Cream, brown, and white with streaks of tan.
Photosensitivity: Limited
Tangential Shrinkage: 8.9%
Radial Shrinkage: 4.9%
Family: Carya spp
Tree Characteristics: A large tree with a massive trunk which reaches heights of 160-ft. Lives up to 350 years.
Geographic Area: North America
Texture: Medium
Grain: Grain is usually straight, though occasionally wavy, with a medium texture.
Luster: Low
Durability Rating: Excellent
Drying Characteristics: Moderate
Working Characteristics: 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.
Applications: Tool handles, ladder rungs, wheel spokes, flooring, etc.