Hickory
Carya ovata · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,820 lbf (Very Hard)
- Durability
- Non-durable to perishable, highly susceptible to decay and powderpost beetle attacks if untreated
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a coarse, uneven texture and distinctive cathedral grain patterns on flat-sawn boards
Color & Appearance
Pronounced contrast between the creamy white to pale yellowish sapwood and the reddish-brown to dark brown heartwood, showing high natural variation common in rustic or character-grade flooring
Hardness (Janka)
1,820 lbf (Very Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable to perishable, highly susceptible to decay and powderpost beetle attacks if untreated
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 - $8.00 per square foot for finished flooring material
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern installation, estimated 0-5 years old based on clean edges, modern micro-beveled planks, and fresh factory or site finish
- Sustainability Status
- Least concern, widely abundant in North American forests, not listed on CITES or IUCN red lists, widely available FSC certified
Common Uses
Flooring, tool handles, ladder rungs, dowels, drumsticks, cabinetry, and rustic furniture
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Difficult to work with hand and machine tools due to extreme hardness and density; high risk of splitting when nailing or screwing, pre-boring is strongly recommended
Finish Recommendations
High-durability commercial polyurethane or water-based floor finishes to withstand heavy foot traffic; sands down smoothly but requires sharp blades to prevent burning
Notable Features
Exceptional shock resistance, high bending strength, and extreme hardness; features dramatic color variation between heartwood and sapwood characteristic of character-grade hickory
