Hickory is known for being one of the hardest, strongest, and toughest North American hardwoods, which makes it a favorite for demanding applications like tool handles, flooring, and furniture that needs to withstand heavy use.
Hickory comes primarily from several species in the Carya genus, including shagbark, shellbark, pignut, and mockernut. In the lumber trade, these species are usually sold together simply as “hickory.”
It’s a domestic hardwood with a distinctive contrast between its pale sapwood and darker reddish-brown heartwood, often giving boards a dramatic, rustic look.
