 Nutmeg Hickory (C. ovata pictured)
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Common Name(s): Nutmeg Hickory Scientific Name: Carya myristiciformis Distribution: Southeastern United States Tree Size: 50-65 ft (15-20 m) tall, 1-2 ft (.3-.6 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 42 lbs/ft3 (675 kg/m3) Hardness: 1,290 lbf (5,740 N)* *Estimated hardness based on specific gravity Rupture Strength: 16,600 lbf/in2 (114,480 kPa) Elastic Strength: 1,700,000 lbf/in2 (11,720 MPa) Crushing Strength: 6,910 lbf/in2 (47.7 MPa) Shrinkage: No data available. (Most likely very similar to the values for Pecan.) |
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 Nutmeg 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.
Nutmeg Hickory falls into the Pecan-Hickory grouping, which tends to be slightly stabler but weaker than the True-Hickories, and is considered to be a semi-ring-porous wood. The strength characteristics of Nutmeg Hickory are somewhat influenced 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.
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.
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Shagbark Hickory (sanded) |
 Shagbark Hickory (sealed) |
 Shagbark Hickory (endgrain) |
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