Specifications of Hickory Wood

Hardness and Strength

• Hickory is North America's strongest and most dense hardwood, with an average moisture content of 12 percent and a density of 50 to nearly 80 lbs. per cubic foot. It is the most efficient wood available in the U.S. for fires; a cord of hickory wood generates roughly the same amount of heat as a ton of coal.

Outside the Tree

• The bark of hickory trees is shaggy in texture and light gray in color; the bark runs in thin, up-and-down strips that pull easily from the tree if given a tug. The leaves on a hickory tree are large, running 8 to 15 inches in size and typically include five leaflets, with the one at the end of the leaf usually being slightly larger than the rest.

Height

• The pecan variety of hickory tree is the tallest and grows quickly; it can attain heights of more than 100 feet and widths of up to 4 feet. Most other species of hickories top out at no more than 70 feet.

Texture and Color

• Depending on the climate where they grow, the color and texture of hickory wood can vary greatly. The wood from faster-growing southern hickory often has a grainier texture than its counterparts to the north. The inner wood of hickory trees comes in many hues, from pale brown to deep reddish-brown.

Prone to Rot, Hard to Season

• Unlike some species of trees, hickories have no resistance to rotting once cut. Once a cut tree starts to rot, it often decays quickly, particularly in a wet climate. At the same time, hickory can be difficult to dry and season.

Use

• Hickory's durability makes it attractive for uses in flooring, furniture, tool handles and cabinetry; decades ago, it was the wood of choice when cars came with wooden spokes. In addition to firewood, it also is popular for wood chips used for cooking with barbecues.