More on Hickory

Second Of Two Parts

Hickory sapwood is creamy white, while the heartwood has a reddish cast. Traditionally, white wood is preferred over red for handles, even though it is equally strong. Red wood may have acquired a reputation for brashness in the early days when virgin forests grew trees at a very slow rate.

As the older trees were cut, competition decreased and the growth rate of the remaining trees increased. Today's hickory trees grow about l/10inch per year in diameter on the average, and usually do not produce heartwood of low density. The fastergrown trees may have 50% or more of their volume in white sapwood. There is no apparent reason to discriminate against hickory simply because of its color.

Hickory, like all other commercial species, has defects.

Slow growth is a defect for handles because it reduces the specific gravity and, therefore, the strength. Stresses in the living tree may cause severe splitting at the time of felling and bucking or soon afterwards. Improper log storage practices invite end checking, fungus strain and decay.

The sapwood of hickory lumber sometimes develops blue stain during summer drying. Pinking, honeycombing, and collapse are caused by improper kiln drying schedules. Mineral

Story at a Glance

Despite losses of some historic markets, hickory's qualities have allowed new markets to be developed . . pallets, furniture and particleboard use more yearly . . its stiffness is a prime asset part 2 of 2 parts.

stain is a defect in handles as well as veneer. These streaks are apparently caused by injury to the cambium by bird pecks or insects.,Other defects are knots, holes, and cross grain.

Defects lower the quality in hickory just as they do in other species. Since 79 percent of the saw timber volume is in Grade 3 or below trees, present day plants must use fairly low-grade logs. Most of these logs, however, will yield some high-value products, and the profit margin can be widened by improved machinery and more efficient logging and milling practices.

In the woods, better bucking practices are needed. Also only the larger trees should be logged wherever possible. Nearly 47% of Ihe hickory volume is in trees of the l6 inch diameter class.

Wood pallet and container manufacturers consume a large and growing portion of the nation's lumber production. ln 1972, they used l07o of the nation's total production, while in 1974, this use had increased to l4%. Since pallet and container parts are mosfly 48 inches and shorter and are a good use for the lower lumber grades, hickory, because of jts high strength characteristics, ranks high for pallet use.

Hickory is unique among woods because it incorporates a high degree of stiffness, hardness, resiliency, shock resistance, and toughness.

Because of these characteristics, it is listed as Class "C" for pallet manufacture. This designation indicates wood that is moderately strong to very strong. Because of its resistance to bending under stress, it is ideal for certain parts of textile looms.

Its resistance to abrasion makes it an excellent flooring material. Its high shock resistance makes it the leading material for striking tool handles and endboards for pallets. Because of its resiliencv and shock resistance, it is tough. When hickory breaks, it breaks with a slow, splintering action rather than sharply, cleanly, or completely. This attribute makes it the safest of all handle woods.

In addition to being the preferred wood for handles, ladder rungs, and certain textile machinery parts, hickory has many other uses, and the list keeps growing. Archery bows are sometimes made from quality hickory, although they are generally the medium- and 1ow-price lines. Hickory, like other heavy woods, makes excellent charcoal and firewood.

The energy crises has sparked a dramatic increase in home firewood use. Many companies - among them utilities - are taking another look at wood as a supplemental fuel for their existing furnaces, or as a complete fuel for wood-burning furnaces.

Because hickory is one of the heaviest of the common woods, it ranks perhaps topmost in heating value per cord among the Eastern hardwoods. Hickory has a net heat value of 7,25O Btu's per pound,, based on oven-dry weight.

The natural smoke of hickory imparts a delicious flavor to meat. Some people place damp hickory chips in their charcoal. Hickory residues are used to produce "liquid smoke." When added to charcoal, this smoke gives the meat a "hickory flavor."

Fumiture manufacturers are using more hickory not only in the frames of upholstered furniture but in the exposed parts as well. Pecan has long been the favored hickory species (all are of the genus (Caryal, but public acceptance of the other hickories in furniture is growing.

Wood-treating experts have proven that hickory can be satisfactorily treated with wood preservatives to protect it from insect and fungus damage. Hickory can be used in bridges, trestles, and culverts.

Treated hickory fence posts and railroad ties offer real possibilities, too; and at least one wood preserving plant in the Valley accepts all sizes of hickory crossties. Hickory lumber has been successfully used for stadium seating and picnic tables and shelters. Truck beds of hickory give excellent service.

Hickory is also used for veneer and plywood. The higher grades go into wall paneling, parquet flooring, and school furniture'

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