American hickory & pecan
Carya spp.
General Description
The hickories are an important group within the eastern hardwood forests. Botanically, they are split into two groups; the true hickories, and the pecan hickories (fruit bearing). The wood is virtually the same for both and is usually sold together. The sapwood of hickory and pecan is white, tinged with brown while the heartwood is pale to reddish brown. Both are coarse textured and the grain is usually straight but can be wavy or irregular.
Other Common names
Distribution & Availability
Eastern USA, principal commercial areas are the Central and Southern states. Readily available, but more limited if sold selected for colour as either red or white hickory or pecan. For export, lumber may be limited in the higher grades and available mainly in thinner stock.
Physical & Mechanical Properties
The density and strength of the hickories will vary according to the rate of growth, with the true hickories generally showing higher values than the pecan hickories. The wood is well known for its very good strength and shock resistance and it also has excellent steam bending properties.
American hickory & pecan - Physical & Mechanical Properties
| Specific Gravity (12% M.C.): | Hickory | 0.75 |
| Pecan | 0.66 | |
| Average Weight (12% M.C.): | Hickory | 833 kg/m3 |
| Pecan | 737 kg/m3 | |
| Average Volume Shrinkage (Green to 6% M.C.): | Hickory | 14.3% |
| Pecan | N/A | |
| Modulus of Rupture: | Hickory | 138.590 MPa |
| Pecan | 94.462 MPa | |
| Modulus of Elasticity: | Hickory | 15,583 MPa |
| Pecan | 11,928 MPa | |
| Compressive strength (parallel to grain): | Hickory | 63.365 MPa |
| Pecan | 54.126 MPa | |
| Hardness: | Hickory | N/A |
| Pecan | 8095 N |
Working Properties
The hickories are considered difficult to machine and glue, and are very hard to work with hand tools, so care is needed. They hold nails and screws well, but there is a tendency 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 a large shrinkage, which may affect stability under variable moisture conditions.
American hickory & pecan - Working Properties
| Sawing | Fair |
| Planing | Good |
| Drilling | Fair |
| Boring | Good |
| Turning | Good |
| Carving | Fair |
| Moulding | Fair |
| Nailing | Good |
| Screwing | Good |
| Gluing | Fair |
| Finishing | Excellent |
Main Uses
Tool handles, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, wooden ladders, dowels and sporting goods. Hickory is increasingly being exported for flooring, for its attractive rustic look and hardwearing properties.
American hickory & pecan - Main Uses
| Doors | ✓ |
| Flooring | ✓ |
| Furniture | ✓ |
| Joinery | ✓ |
| Kitchen cabinets | ✓ |
| Mouldings and turnings | |
| Veneered panels | |
| Sports goods | ✓ |
| Tool handles | ✓ |
Other Information
Typically referred to as hickory in the North and pecan in the South of the USA. Bird pecks are a common characteristic and are not considered as defects. Deep purple mineral streaks are also a natural characteristic and are not considered as defects. The FAS lumber grade permits a minimum width of 4 inches (101.6mm).
Select your species
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American ash
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American aspen
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American basswood
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American beech
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American yellow birch
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American cherry
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American cottonwood
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American elm
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American gum
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American hackberry
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American hickory & pecan
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American hard maple
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American soft maple
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American red oak
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American white oak
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American sycamore
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American tulipwood
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American walnut
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American willow
