There are many domestic woods available in America, but only a few combine the strength, toughness, and distinctive appearance of hickory. Used for everything from furniture to tool handles, hickory is a versatile hardwood.
What Is Hickory Wood?
Hickory is one of the hardest and toughest commercially available North American hardwoods. Its strength and brown or reddish-brown appearance make it a popular choice for furniture and flooring.
The name hickory refers to several species in the genus Carya. These trees are native to parts of North America and Asia. Commercial hickory lumber is commonly divided into two groups: true hickory and pecan hickory.
Although hickory withstands everyday wear well, its durability should not be confused with resistance to moisture or decay.
| Characteristic | Hickory Wood |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Carya species |
| Tree height | Often around 60–80 feet (18–24 m), although some species grow considerably taller |
| Hardness | Generally very hard and dense |
| Workability | Challenging, particularly with hand tools |
| Durability | Excellent resistance to wear and impact in suitable indoor applications |
| Rot resistance | Low natural resistance to decay; susceptible to insect attack |
| Uses | Furniture, cabinets, flooring, tool handles, plywood, veneer, and more |
What Does Hickory Wood Look Like?
Typically, hickory heartwood ranges from light to medium brown and may have reddish tones. The sapwood is paler, often creamy white or yellowish brown. Dark streaks, knots, and other natural markings can create noticeable contrasts.
Many people ask whether hickory becomes darker or lighter over time. Its appearance can change with light exposure, aging, and the finish used. It is not accurate to say that all hickory consistently becomes lighter or fades more slowly than other woods.
If color consistency matters, compare several finished samples before choosing your boards.
Hickory Wood Grain
Hickory usually has a straight grain, although some pieces have wavy or irregular patterns. The contrast between pale sapwood and darker heartwood gives many hickory products a rustic, natural appearance.
For a more uniform look, ask your supplier about color-selected lumber or flooring.
Common Uses of Hickory Wood
Hickory is commonly used for furniture, tool handles, ladder rungs, flooring, and sporting goods. Traditional applications also include wheel spokes and drumsticks.
Hickory Wood for Furniture and Cabinets
Hickory is a good choice for furniture and cabinets because it is tough and visually distinctive. Its shock resistance helps it withstand everyday knocks and impacts.
The natural color variation adds rustic or traditional character to furniture. However, that same variation may not suit someone looking for a very uniform cabinet finish.
Hickory Wood for Flooring
Hickory flooring is popular for its hardness and distinctive grain. Its resistance to denting makes it suitable for busy areas of the home.
However, hickory flooring is not scratch-proof. Surface scratches also depend on the finish, dirt and grit, furniture movement, and maintenance.
Pricing varies by product, grade, and construction, so hickory is not always cheaper than other hardwood flooring. Proper moisture testing and acclimation are particularly important before installation.
Hickory Wood for Smoking
Hickory is a popular choice for smoking beef and pork because it produces a strong, distinctive smoky flavor.
Its dense wood also provides substantial heat. Penn State Extension lists approximately 28 million BTU per cord for several common hickory species under its stated air-dried conditions. Actual usable heat depends on moisture content and the equipment used.
For cooking, use clean wood intended for smoking—not painted, treated, or glued woodworking scraps.
Advantages of Hickory Wood
Strength and Durability
Hickory has excellent toughness and shock resistance. With suitable construction, indoor conditions, and regular care, furniture made from it can last for decades.
However, it is not naturally resistant to rot or water damage. The USDA rates hickory heartwood as slightly resistant or nonresistant to decay. USDA hickory characteristics.
Attractive Appearance
Hickory’s pale sapwood, brown heartwood, and occasional reddish tones add warmth and character to a room.
Some people prefer its strong color contrasts, while others choose more uniform boards. Both looks can work well, depending on the design.
Resistance to Wear and Tear
Its hardness makes hickory a useful choice for flooring and frequently used furniture. It generally withstands dents and everyday wear well, although no wood is immune to damage.
Competitive Price
Hickory can offer good value for its hardness and strength. However, its price relative to oak, cherry, maple, and other woods varies by supplier, grade, thickness, and region.
Compare equivalent lumber grades rather than assuming one species is always cheaper.
Disadvantages of Hickory Wood
Difficult to Work With
Hickory’s hardness and density can make it challenging to work with, especially for beginners.
Cutting, shaping, and sanding may require more effort, and cutting edges can dull quickly. Sharp tools and appropriate feed rates help improve results.
Pre-drilling screw holes is useful, particularly near board ends, because hickory can split during fastening. Gluing also requires careful preparation and properly fitted joints.
Prone to Movement and Warping
Hickory can shrink and swell considerably as its moisture content changes. This movement may lead to gaps, cupping, or warping if the wood is not properly dried or installed.
Its relatively high shrinkage makes moisture control especially important for flooring and wide boards. The American Hardwood Export Council notes that variable moisture conditions can affect hickory’s stability. Hickory performance guidance.
For this reason—and its poor decay resistance—untreated hickory is generally unsuitable for exposed outdoor projects.
How Hard Is Hickory Wood?
Different hickory species have different hardness and weight values. The following figures are approximate reference values rather than guarantees for individual boards.
| Type of Hickory | Approximate Janka Hardness | Approximate Dried Weight | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pignut hickory | 2,140 lbf (9,520 N) | 52 lb/ft³ (835 kg/m³) | True hickory |
| Mockernut hickory | 1,970 lbf (8,760 N) | 51 lb/ft³ (815 kg/m³) | True hickory |
| Shellbark hickory | 1,810 lbf (8,050 N) | 48 lb/ft³ (770 kg/m³) | True hickory |
| Shagbark hickory | 1,880 lbf (8,360 N) | 50 lb/ft³ (800 kg/m³) | True hickory |
| Pecan | 1,820 lbf (8,100 N) | 46 lb/ft³ (735 kg/m³) | Pecan hickory |
| Water hickory | 1,550 lbf (6,900 N)* | 43 lb/ft³ (690 kg/m³) | Pecan hickory |
| Bitternut hickory | 1,500 lbf (6,670 N)* | 46 lb/ft³ (735 kg/m³) | Pecan hickory |
| Nutmeg hickory | 1,290 lbf (5,740 N)* | 42 lb/ft³ (675 kg/m³) | Pecan hickory |
The starred hardness figures are estimates and should not be treated as confirmed test values. Published figures vary with the source and samples tested.
Janka hardness measures resistance to indentation. It does not measure rot resistance or guarantee that a finished surface will resist scratches.
What Is the Difference Between True Hickory and Pecan Hickory?
Both groups belong to the genus Carya. Their distinction involves botanical and microscopic wood characteristics, not simply weight.
True hickories generally produce denser wood, although properties overlap between species. Hickory and pecan lumber may also be sold together commercially, so ask about the species if your project requires specific properties.
Finishing Hickory Wood
Hickory is naturally attractive, but a suitable finish helps protect its surface from spills and wear. A finish slows moisture exchange; it does not prevent all seasonal wood movement or make the wood waterproof.
Prepare the Wood Surface
Start by sanding away roughness and machining marks. Choose the starting grit according to the surface condition rather than automatically using coarse sandpaper.
For rough solid wood, you might begin around 80 grit and progress through finer grits. Follow the stain or finish manufacturer’s recommended final grit, often within the 180–220 range. Sand with the grain and avoid aggressive sanding on thin veneers.
Remove dust with a suitable vacuum and a clean, lint-free cloth. If you use a lightly dampened cloth, let the surface dry before continuing.
Apply Wood Stain — Optional
Choose a stain compatible with your intended finish and test it on an offcut first. Both oil-based and water-based products can be suitable when used according to their instructions.
Apply the stain as directed and remove excess within the recommended time. Because hickory contains contrasting colors and grain patterns, the result may not be completely uniform.
If you prefer its natural appearance, skip the stain and apply a clear finish. Wood-staining preparation tips.
Apply the Finish
Choose a finish suited to the project, such as an appropriate polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer system.
Apply thin, even coats and follow the product instructions for drying, recoating, sanding between coats, and full curing. The required number of coats varies by product.
A finish does not have to be shiny: matte, satin, and gloss options are available.
Is Hickory Wood Expensive?
Hickory is generally a moderately priced domestic hardwood, but there is no single price that applies to every grade and size.
For example, Hearne Hardwoods’ published price list shows 4/4 FAS hickory at $5 per board foot. This is a supplier example, not a universal price; confirm current availability, milling charges, and delivery costs before ordering.
Remember that lumber is commonly priced per board foot, which measures volume. Finished flooring is commonly priced per square foot, which measures surface area. These prices are not directly interchangeable.
The final cost depends on thickness, grade, color selection, processing, and local availability.