Wood Species Guide

Bitternut Hickory

Carya cordiformis

Also called: Bitternut, Swamp Hickory, Pignut (regional), Yellowbud Hickory, Pecan Hickory (lumber group), Hickory (in the lumber trade)

Bitternut hickory is a tall, tough member of the pecan hickory group, named for its bitter nuts. Its contrasty wood is sold as hickory or pecan and is great for floors, cabinets and rustic tables.

DomesticHardwoodHickories & Pecans

Good forTabletops & Slabs

About the name “Bitternut Hickory”

Bitternut belongs to the pecan hickory group, the same group as pecan and water hickory, not the true hickories like shagbark. In the lumber trade all of these are often mixed and sold simply as hickory or as pecan.

What Bitternut Hickory looks like

Heartwood is light to medium reddish brown, and the wide sapwood is creamy white, giving the strong light and dark contrast hickory is known for.

Grain and texture

Usually straight grain with a medium to coarse texture and open pores.

Working Bitternut Hickory: planing, cutting and gluing

Hard and very tough, so it is hard on cutters and can burn on the saw. It glues reasonably well and turns cleanly, but it is prone to tearout on figured grain. Pre-drill for screws.

Finishing Bitternut Hickory: oil, film finishes and epoxy

Takes oil and film finishes well. Stain can look uneven because of the sapwood and heartwood contrast, so test first. Seal coat before epoxy, as the open pores outgas.

Durability, stability and Florida humidity

Not decay resistant, and the sapwood draws powderpost beetles. It moves a lot with humidity. In Florida, give it extra acclimation time in air conditioning and finish all faces.

Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop

Bitternut is a common hickory in eastern woodlots and usually gets sold as hickory or pecan. The contrasty boards make great rustic floors, cabinets and tough tabletops. Watch for beetle holes in the sapwood of yard trees. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source hickory and pecan.

Common uses for Bitternut Hickory

Flooring, cabinets, furniture, tool handles, ladder rungs, smoking wood and firewood.

Sustainability and CITES status

Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Common across its range and not threatened.

Safety and toxicity

Our toxicity rating LowWhat the ratings mean

No common reactions reported

Few reactions are reported beyond normal wood dust irritation. It makes a lot of fine dust, so keep it collected.

In the shop: Dust collection and a mask when sanding
Food contact: Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils

General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.

Beyond the usual irritation from any fine wood dust, few reactions are reported. Use dust collection and a mask, because this hard wood throws a lot of fine dust.

Wood toxicity and dust safety guide: every species compared