Hickory, Pecan Group (Carya cordiformis, C. illinoensis, C. aquatica, C. myristiciformis)

Hickory, Pecan Group is a domestic hardwood

Location

Species of the pecan hickory group include bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), pecan (C. illinoensis), water hickory (C. aquatica), and nutmeg hickory (C. myristiciformis). Bitternut hickory grows throughout the eastern half of the United States; pecan hickory, from central Texas and Louisiana to Missouri and Indiana; water hickory, from Texas to South Carolina; and nutmeg hickory, in Texas and Louisiana.

Characteristics

The sapwood of this group is white or nearly white and relatively wide. The heartwood is somewhat darker. The wood is heavy and sometimes has very high shrinkage

Primary Uses

Heavy pecan hickory is used for tool and implement handles and flooring. The lower grades are used for pallets. Many higher grade logs are sliced to provide veneer for furniture and decorative paneling.

*Much of the base wood information presented here is made available by the USDA FPL FS. If you are interested in a much more technical description of wood properties, I encourage you to visit the source.