Origin
Eastern United States, Midwest
Janka Hardness
1,880 lbf
Average Weight
4.16/bf
Color
Light to medium brown heartwood with a reddish hue; pale yellowish brown sapwood; boards with contrasting heartwood and sapwood create a rustic appearance, marketed as Calico
Working Characteristics
- Difficult to work
- tearout common during machining — sharp cutting edges essential as wood tends to blunt tools
- glues, stains, and finishes well
- responds well to steam bending.
Species Specifications
| Botanical Name | Carya ovata |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Hickory, Shagbark Hickory |
| Origin | Eastern United States, Midwest |
| Average Weight | 4.16/bf |
| Janka Hardness | 1,880 lbf |
| Pore Structure | Ring porous |
| Grain / Texture | Typically straight grain, occasionally wavy; medium texture. |
| Rot Resistance | Rated non-durable to perishable; very susceptible to insect attack. |
Hardness Compared to Other Woods
See where Hickory, Shagbark Hickory falls on the Janka hardness scale compared to other familiar hardwoods.
Softer
Harder
Basswood
410
Cherry
950
Walnut
1010
Red Oak
1290
Hard Maple
1450
Hickory
1820
Purpleheart
2520
The Janka hardness rating measures resistance to denting and wear. Higher numbers generally indicate a harder, denser wood.
Technical Properties
| Shrinkage | Radial: 7.0%, Tangential: 10.5%, Volumetric: 16.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.5 |
|---|---|
| Modulus of Rupture | 20,200 lbf/in2 |
| Elastic Modulus | 2,160,000 lbf/in2 |
| Crushing Strength | 9,210 lbf/in2 |
Why Woodworkers Choose Capital Hardwood
Carefully Selected
We prepare boards with real woodworking projects in mind.
Surfaced Four Sides
S4S lumber saves shop time and is ready for your next project.
Ships Nationwide
Order premium hardwood and have it shipped directly to your home or shop.
Real Woodworkers
We know these materials because we work with them every day.