Pecan Hickory (Carya illinoensis)

Common Names: Mechanical Values Bitter pecan, Hickory, Nogal Category Green Dry Units morado, Nuez encarcelada, Pecan, Pecan hickory, Sweet pecan Weight 47 lbs/cu.ft. Density (air-dry) lbs/cu.ft. Specific Gravity 0.6 0.66 Hardness 1820 lbs Stiffness 1370 1730 1000 psi Bending Strength 9800 13700 psi Shearing Strength 2080 psi Max. Crushing Strength 3990 7850 psi Work to Maximum Load 15 14 in-lbs/in3 Radial Shrinkage (G->OD) % Tangential Shrink. (G->OD) %

Volumetric Shrink (G->OD) %

Environmental Profile Pecan is rather widespread, abundant, and secure globally, although it may be rare in some areas at the periphery of its range (Source - The Nature Conservancy - Rank of relative endangerment based primarily on the number of occurrences of the species globally). Distribution This species is reported to be distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. It is usually found in mixed hardwood forests, and prefers to grow in moist, well-drained soils of river flood plains and valleys. Product Sources It is not known at present whether timber from this species is obtainable from sustainably managed or other environmentally responsible sources. Pecan is reported to be available at a moderate price on the U.S. market in the form of lumber, veneers and plywood. Tree Data The state tree of Texas, Pecan is reported to occur in the wild and is also cultivated. The largest member of the Hickories, it usually grows to heights of about 160 to 170 feet (49 to 52 m), with trunk diameters of about 72 to 84 inches (180 to 213 cm). Pecan trees are reported to have very long lives, with some trees reaching the age of 350 years.ÿ Sapwood Color The sapwood is white to pale brown in color. Heartwood Color The heartwood is rich reddish brown in color, and may contain streaks of slightly darker hue. Grain Grain is reported to be typically straight, but may occasionally be irregular or wavy. Texture The wood has a coarse texture. Odor There is no characteristic odor or taste. Ease of Drying The material is reported to dry fairly easily and rapidly, although it requires care because of fairly high shrinkage.

Drying Defects Slow drying with poor air circulation may cause chemical sapwood stains. End checks and hairline splits may also occur. Movement in Service The timber is reported to have high dimensional stability, and holds its place well in use. Natural Durability Pecan is reported to be vulnerable to the hickory bark beetle, and also succumb easily to frost damage. It is also susceptible to attack by fungi and insects. Resistance to Impregnation The wood is moderately resistant to preservative treatment. Blunting Blunting effect on cutting edges is reported to vary from moderate to severe. Resistance to Cutting The wood is reported to be rather difficult to saw. Planning Pecan is reported to require careful machining, but it planes well, although a reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is recommended in working stock with irregular grain. Turning The wood is characteristically very easy to turn. Boring Boring properties are reported to be very good. Mortising The wood has exceptional mortising properties. Moulding A reduced cutting angle of 20 degrees is required in moulding wood containing irregular grain.ÿ Gluing Gluing properties are reported to be satisfactory. Nailing The material is reported to respond rather poorly to nailing. Screwing The wood is fairly easy to screw.ÿ Sanding The timber is reported to require careful sanding to achieve the smoothest surface. Polishing The wood responds to polishing to yield a smooth finish. Staining The material takes stains well. Steam Bending Steam bending properties are reported to be generally good. Strength Properties Pecans can be differentiated from true Hickories by weight, and by the narrow bands of parenchyma, which appear between the rays and between the large earlywood pores. (In hickories the band occurs after the first row of earlywood pores). Strength properties of C. illinoensis are reported to be similar to those of other hickories. Bending strength in the air-dry condition (about 12 percent moisture content) is high, and maximum crushing strength, or compression strength parallel to grain, is also high. It is hard - harder than Teak, and does not marr or dent easily. The wood is very heavy. Mineral Deposits - Magnesium carbonate deposits are reported to be often present and 'Bird pecks' leave residue that crystallizes.