PRACTICAL ARBORICULTURE 45 
AMERICAN HICKORY, THE WORLD’S VEHICLE TIMBER. 
Without going into a scientific dissertation of the botanical characteristics 
of the large number of varieties of the hickory family, we may state a few 
facts regarding this valuable wood. The pecan is well known as one of our 
superb edible nuts, each year becoming in greater demand, the finer, improved 
sorts as the paper shells of Texas and others being far superior to the small 
common nuts, yet the pecan is a hickory. 
The great sweet hickory nuts, while seldom found in commerce, are 
sought for by those who know them in the region where they are grown. 
The small shellbark is another favorite nut, usually found on sale in country 
stores, but seldom at the fruit stands where pecans and other thin shelled nuts 
are preferred on account of the ease with which they may be opened. 
The mockernut—bitternut—pignut and a host of hickory fruit of varicus 
shades of quality are well known. Some varieties of the hickories are com- 
mon to the Northern and Eastern States, although the pecan and a larger 
number of varieties are peculiar to the South. The size, shape and flavor of 
the nuts, the number of leaflets and their shape, as well as the peculiarities of 
the bark and the size which the trees attain to, are variously used to deter- 
mine, botanically, where the variety stands, but when the trees have been cut 
into lumber and placed upon the market it all goes for hickory, no discrimi- 
nation being made in commerce. The manufacturer buys hickory and only 
asks if it is second growth or old timber. 
Hickory wood is quite dense and grows very slowly. While young it 1s 
remarkably strong, flexible, elastic, and when kept from continuous moisture 
is very durable, although it decays quickly when exposed to moisture or in con- 
nection with the earth. 
There is no wood known which is quite so well adapted to the manufac- 
ture of light vehicles as second growth hickory. The spokes of most carriage 
wheels, the bent rims, axles, and bolsters, as well as the running gears, poles 
and shafts, and the foundation frame work of carriage bodies, as also the 
single trees and double trees are, or should be of hickory. 
Ax handles and many large and small tool handles are of second growth 
hickory where that is obtainable. 
Ash and even maple have been substituted for certain lower grade work, 
and when covered with several coats of paint and varnish can not be distin- 
guished from hickory, yet a little hard usage will soon determine which tim- 
ber has the toughness, strength and elasticity requisite for good vehicle ma- 
terial. 
