Mockernut Hickory

Mockernut Hickory (C. ovata pictured)

Common Name(s): Mockernut Hickory

Scientific Name: Carya tomentosa

Distribution: Eastern United States

Tree Size: 100-115 ft (30-35 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter

Average Dried Weight: 51 lbs/ft³ (815 kg/m³)

Basic Specific Gravity: .64

Hardness: 1,720 lb_f (7,650 N)*

*Estimated hardness based on specific gravity

Rupture Strength: 19,200 lb_f/in² (132,410 kPa)

Elastic Strength: 2,220,000 lb_f/in² (15,310 MPa)

Crushing Strength: 8,940 lb_f/in² (61.7 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 7.7%, Tangential: 11.0%, Volumetric: 17.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.4

Color/Appearance: Heartwood tends to be light to medium brown, with a reddish hue; sapwood is a paler yellowish brown.

Grain/Pore: Grain is usually straight, though occasionally wavy, with a medium texture. Pores are medium-sized and open.

Durability: Considered to be non-durable to perishable regarding heartwood decay, and also very susceptible to insect attack.

Workability: Difficult to work, with tearout being common during machining operations if cutting edges are not kept sharp; the wood tends to blunt cutting edges. Glues, stains, and finishes well.

Scent: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.

Safety: There have been no adverse health effects associated with Mockernut Hickory. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Price/Availability: Various species of Hickory and Pecan (Carya genus) are typically mixed together and simply sold as Hickory. Prices are usually in the low to mid range, depending upon local availability. Hickory prices should compare similarly to other utility hardwoods such as Red Oak or Soft Maple.

Comments: Hickory is among the hardest and strongest of woods native to the United States. On average, Hickory is denser, stiffer, and harder than either White Oak or Hard Maple. The wood is commonly used where strength or shock-resistance is important, such as tool handles, ladder rungs, wheel spokes, flooring, etc.

Mockernut Hickory falls into the True-Hickory grouping, and is considered to be a ring-porous wood. The strength characteristics of Hickory are influenced considerably by the spacing of its growth rings. In general, wood from faster-growing trees, with wider spaced growth rings, tends to be harder, heavier, and stronger than wood from slower-growing trees that have rings which are closer together.

In addition to strength and hardness applications, the wood of Carya species also has a very high thermal energy content when burned, and is sometimes used as fuelwood for wood stoves. Additionally, Hickory is also used as charcoal in cooking meat, with the smoke imparting additional flavor to the food.

Related Species:

Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)

Nutmeg Hickory (Carya myristiciformis)

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

Shellbark Hickory (Carya laciniosa)

Water Hickory (Carya aquatica)

Scans/Pictures: There are currently no pictures of this exact wood species, but a similar species within the Carya genus is being substituted (C. ovata). If you’d like to contribute a wood sample of this specific species to be scanned, (even small pieces of veneer can be sent), please use the contact form.