Appalachian Species & Grades
Hickory
Other Common Names: Shagbark Hickory, Shellbark Hickory and Scalybark Hickory
One of the strongest, hardest and most-dense of our Appalachian hardwoods, Hickory is used for applications that require sheer strength and high shock resistance. The sapwood of hickory is white, tinged with brown, while the heartwood is pale to reddish brown. Hickory has coarse texture and usually straight grain, but can be wavy or irregular. Hickory is a traditional choice for cabinetry and furniture with lots of character.
Hickory is also used in tool handles, dowels, ladders, picks and axes, sporting goods, and flooring.
Properties
- Machining 2
- Nailing 2
- Screwing 2
- Gluing 2
- Finishing 3
Properties of Hickory
Hickory rates above average in most working properties, except in shaping and nail-holding ability. It can be difficult to machine and has a moderate blunting effect on tools. Hickory has excellent bending properties and accepts stains and finishes very well.
How does it compare
| Lumber (12 % moisture content) | Specific Gravity (Density) | Dimensional R (%) | Movement T (%) | Hardness (lbs) | Compression Parallel (ps) | Bending Strength (ps) | Bending Stiffness (kps) | Grain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alder, Red (Western) | .41 | 4.4 | 7.3 | 590 | 5,820 | 9,800 | 1,380 | Fine |
| Ash | .60 | 4.9 | 7.8 | 1,320 | 7,410 | 15,400 | 1,770 | Fine |
| Basswood | .37 | 6.6 | 9.3 | 410 | 4,730 | 8,700 | 1,460 | Fine |
| Beech | .64 | 5.5 | 11.9 | 1,300 | 7,300 | 14,900 | 1,720 | Fine/Medium |
| Birch, Yellow | .62 | 7.3 | 9.5 | 1,260 | 8,170 | 16,600 | 2,010 | Fine |
| Cherry, Black | .50 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 950 | 7,110 | 12,300 | 1,490 | Mod/Coarse |
| Hickory | .66 | 4.9 | 8.9 | 1,820 | 7,850 | 13,700 | 1,730 | Mod/Coarse |
| Maple, Hard | .63 | 4.8 | 9.9 | 1,450 | 7,830 | 15,800 | 1,830 | Fine |
| Maple, PC | .48 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 850 | 5,950 | 10,700 | 1,450 | Fine |
| Maple, Soft | .47 | 3.0 | 7.2 | 700 | 5,220 | 8,900 | 1,140 | Fine |
| Oak, Red | .63 | 4.0 | 8.6 | 1,290 | 6,760 | 14,300 | 1,820 | Coarse |
| Oak, White | .68 | 4.4 | 8.8 | 1,360 | 7,440 | 15,200 | 1,780 | Mod/Coarse |
| Poplar, Yellow | .42 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 450 | 5,290 | 9,200 | 1,500 | Fine |
| Walnut, Black | .55 | 5.5 | 7.8 | 1,010 | 7,580 | 14,600 | 1,680 | Medium |
