Pecan
Pecan is hickory with a visual identity — the sapwood/heartwood contrast is one of the most striking of any domestic hardwood, and the reddish-brown color is warmer than standard hickory. The difficulty level is nearly the same: it burns, it blunts tools, it moves. But if you're willing to put in the work, pecan floors and furniture have a warmth and character that's hard to match domestically.
- Running it with the same feed rate as oak or maple — pecan burns aggressively at slow feed rates; you need confidence on the router table and saw
- Ignoring the sapwood/heartwood contrast in your design — some woodworkers fight it; the better approach is to design around it and feature it intentionally
- Buying unseasoned or improperly dried pecan — its high shrinkage means poorly dried stock will move dramatically after milling; verify moisture content before buying
Reddish-brown heartwood with a very dramatic contrast to the nearly-white sapwood. The contrast between heartwood and sapwood is one of the most pronounced of any domestic hardwood. Darkens to a warm reddish-brown over time.
Nearly as hard and dense as true hickory. Burns easily at slow feed rates — carbide tooling and confident, consistent feed speeds are mandatory. Pre-drill all fasteners. High shrinkage values make drying and dimensional stability a concern. The visual impact of the heartwood/sapwood contrast is worth the extra effort.
| Region | Availability |
|---|---|
| North America | Regional / select dealers |
| Europe | Specialty importers only |
| Australia / NZ | Specialty importers only |
| Southeast Asia | Specialty importers only |
| South America | Specialty importers only |
| Africa / Middle East | Specialty importers only |