Hickory
Main Uses
Tool handles, bows, wheel spokes, drumsticks, walking canes, and a preferred type of wood for smoking meats
Relative Abundance
0.7 percent of total
Fun Facts
The Wright Brothers used hickory for their "flying contraption".
General Description
Hickory is the hardest, heaviest and strongest American wood. The sapwood of hickory is white, tinged with inconspicuous fine brown lines while the heartwood is pale to reddish brown. Both are coarse-textured and the grain is fine, usually straight but can be wavy or irregular.
Working Properties
Hickory can be difficult to machine and glue, and is very hard to work with hand tools, so care is needed. It holds nails and screws well, but there is a tendency to split so pre-boring is advised.
Physical 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.
