Hickory vs Pecan: Identifying True Hickory Species

The Hickory Family

All hickories and pecans belong to the genus Carya. They're divided into two groups: true hickories and pecan hickories, with important differences for woodworkers.

True Hickories

True hickories are among the hardest, toughest, and most shock-resistant domestic hardwoods.

Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)

• •Janka Hardness: 1,880 lbf
• •Density: 51 lb/ft³
• •Key property: Exceptional shock resistance and toughness

Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra)

• •Janka Hardness: 1,820 lbf
• •Density: 51 lb/ft³
• •Very similar to Shagbark in properties

Mockernut Hickory (Carya tomentosa)

• •Janka Hardness: 1,700+ lbf
• •The most common hickory species

Pecan Hickories

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)

• •Janka Hardness: 1,820 lbf
• •Density: 46 lb/ft³
• •Key difference: Slightly lighter and less tough than true hickories despite similar hardness

Bitternut Hickory (Carya cordiformis)

• •Grouped with pecan hickories
• •Slightly softer than true hickories

Key Differences

Identification Challenge

Distinguishing true hickory from pecan hickory in lumber form is extremely difficult — even for experts. They're anatomically very similar, and commercial lumber often mixes the species.

The weight test is the most practical: true hickories tend to be slightly heavier than pecan hickories.

Best Uses

• •Tool handles: True hickory preferred (maximum shock resistance)
• •Smoking wood: Both excellent, pecan preferred for its milder, sweeter flavor
• •Flooring: Both excellent — extremely hard and durable
• •Furniture: Both work well; dramatic color contrast between heartwood and sapwood

In practice, most woodworkers treat all hickory species as interchangeable. The differences are subtle enough that species-level identification rarely matters for project outcomes.