ch is one of the
characteristic differences between hickory and ash. Hickory is rarely
subjected to artificial treatment, but there is this curious fact in
connection with the wood, that, contrary to most other woods, creosote
is only with difficulty injected into the sap, although there is no
difficulty in getting it into the heartwood. It dries slowly, shrinks
and checks considerably in seasoning; is not durable in contact with
the soil or if exposed. Hickory excels as wagon and carriage stock,
for hoops in cooperage, and is extensively used in the manufacture of
implements and machinery, for tool handles, timber pins, harness work,
dowel pins, golf clubs, and fishing rods. The hickories are tall trees
with slender stems, never forming forests, occasionally small groves,
but usually occur scattered among other broad-leaved trees in suitable
localities. The following species all contribute more or less to the
hickory of the markets:

=42. Shagbark Hickory= (_Hicoria ovata_) (Shellbark Hickory, Scalybark
Hickory). A medium- to large-sized tree, quite common; the favorite
among the hickories. Heartwood light brown, sapwood ivory or
cream-colored. Wood close-grained, compact structure, annual rings
clearly marked. Very hard, heavy, strong, tough, and flexible, but not
durable in contact with the soil or when exposed. Used for
agricultural implements, wheel runners, tool handles, vehicle parts,
baskets, dowel pins, harness work, golf clubs, fishing rods, etc. Best
developed in the Ohio and Mississippi basins; from Lake Ontario to
Texas, Minnesota to Florida.

=43. Mockernut Hickory= (_Hicoria alba_) (Black Nut Hickory, Black
Hickory, Bull Nut Hickory, Big Bud Hickory, White Heart Hickory). A
medium- to large-sized tree. Wood in its quality and uses similar to
the preceding. Its range is the same as that of _Hicoria ovata_.
Common, especially in the South.

=44. Pignut Hickory= (_Hicoria glabra_) (Brown Hickory, Black Hickory,
Switchbud Hickory). A medium- to large-sized tree. Heavier and
stronger than any of the preceding. Heartwood light to dark brown,
sapwood nearly white. Abundant, all eastern United States.

=45. Bitternut Hickory= (_Hicoria minima_) (Swamp Hickory). A
medium-sized tree, favoring wet localities. Heartwood light brown,
sapwood lighter color. Wood in its quality and uses not so valuable as
_Hicoria ovata_, but is used for the same purposes. Abundant, all
eastern United States.

=46. Pecan= (_Hicor