Names and distribution: The name Hickory stands for a number of tree species of the genus Carya from the walnut family. Real hickory is wood of the species Carya tomentosa. In the trade, however, it is often mixed with woods of the lighter “pecan hickory” species. Hickory is widespread in southeastern North America, including Missouri, Arkansas and Georgia. Hickory prefers a mild climate and well-watered soils.
Wood appearance: The sapwood is white to yellowish brown and clearly separated from the heartwood. Heartwood ash-colored to streaky brown. Vessels are arranged in rings, earlywood vessels clearly visible, latewood dense and extremely fine-pored. Longitudinal parenchyma and rays are invisible to the naked eye. The texture is simple, striped in a radial cut, matt glossy and slightly decorative, reminiscent of European ash at first glance.
Properties: Hickory is a particularly hard and tough wood. At 12% moisture content, it has a bulk density of 700 – 840 kg/m3, on average 800 kg/m3. The shrinkage is specified as 7.4% in the radial direction and 10.8% in the tangential direction. The Brinell hardness is 39-44 N/mm2 – compared to oak: 34 N/mm2. The flexural strength is specified as 117-135 N/mm2.
The modulus of elasticity parallel to the fiber varies between 14,000 and 16,000 N/mm2, but can also be significantly higher. Hickory can be worked well with all tools with increased force; pre-drilling is always necessary, hickory is easy to paint. Not suitable for outdoor use.
Use: Special wood for wagon construction, tool handles, drumsticks, sports equipment, longbows / sports bows, rarely for veneers, also popular in the form of smoke chips for fish preparation.
Replaces: Robinia, Ash
| Sources: |
Wagenführ, Fachbuchverlag Leipzig 1996: Holzatlas Gottwald 1970: Timber trade timbers |
