Nutmeg Hickory
Scientific name: Carya myristiciformis
Overview
Nutmeg Hickory is one of the rarest native hickory species in North America, occurring in scattered populations across the southeastern United States, including parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, and isolated areas of Florida. A member of the Juglandaceae family, it is named for its distinctive nut, which resembles the shape and ridges of a nutmeg seed.
Although Nutmeg Hickory has never been harvested commercially on the same scale as Shagbark or Shellbark Hickory, its wood possesses the same exceptional strength, toughness, and shock resistance that characterize the Carya genus. Because of its limited distribution and uncommon occurrence, it is of particular interest to botanists, conservationists, and wood collectors seeking rare North American hardwoods.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Nutmeg Hickory
- Scientific Name: Carya myristiciformis
- Region: North American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 60–100 ft (18–30 m) tall, 1–3 ft (0.3–0.9 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 51 lbs/ft³ (820 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 1,820 lbf
- Grain: Straight
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Nutmeg Hickory produces a pale brown to light reddish-brown heartwood surrounded by broad, creamy-white sapwood that is only moderately distinct from the heartwood. The grain is generally straight with a medium texture and a subtle natural luster. Like other hickories, the wood is extremely strong, dense, and highly resistant to shock and wear.
Key identification traits include:
- Light brown to pale reddish-brown heartwood
- Broad creamy-white sapwood
- Straight grain
- Medium texture
- Subtle natural luster
- Very hard and shock resistant
- Distinctive nut resembling a nutmeg seed
Working Properties
Nutmeg Hickory machines similarly to other hickory species. Its density and toughness require sharp cutting tools, but it produces smooth surfaces with proper machining techniques. The wood glues, turns, and finishes well while providing excellent strength and durability in demanding applications.
- Machines well with sharp tools
- Dense and somewhat difficult to cut
- Excellent shock resistance
- Turns well
- Sands smoothly
- Glues and finishes well
- Excellent fastener holding strength
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Standard dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Its exceptional strength, toughness, and durability make Nutmeg Hickory suitable for numerous woodworking applications, including:
- Tool handles
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Flooring
- Sporting equipment
- Agricultural implements
- Turned objects
- Walking sticks
- Firewood
- Specialty woodworking projects
Sustainability & Notes
Nutmeg Hickory has one of the most restricted natural distributions of any North American hickory. The species typically grows on rich bottomlands and stream terraces, where habitat fragmentation and land conversion have reduced some populations. Although it is not widely harvested for timber, conservation of its native habitat remains important for maintaining healthy populations.
Because commercial lumber is rarely available, most woodworkers never encounter authenticated Nutmeg Hickory, making it one of the more unusual members of the Carya genus.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Black Hickory – A closely related southern hickory known for its exceptional toughness and adaptability to dry upland sites.
Scrub Hickory – A much smaller Florida native with a highly restricted range and similar wood characteristics.
Shellbark Hickory – One of the largest hickory species, producing high-quality lumber prized for strength and shock resistance.
Related Guides
Understanding Wood Strength: What Makes Wood Strong? – Discover why hickories rank among the toughest and most shock-resistant hardwoods in the world.
Labeling and Cataloging Wood Samples – Learn how to properly organize and document rare and uncommon wood specimens.
Identifying Unknown Wood Samples – Explore practical techniques for identifying hardwoods using grain, color, texture, and other physical characteristics.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Nutmeg Hickory is one of the most desirable North American hickory species for collectors because of its rarity and limited natural distribution. Commercial lumber is seldom available, making authenticated samples difficult to obtain. A documented specimen represents one of the least commonly encountered members of the Carya genus and provides an excellent addition to collections featuring Black Hickory, Scrub Hickory, Shellbark Hickory, and other native hickories.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.