Pecan
Carya illinoinensis
Hardness
Very hard; tough on tools but extremely wear-resistant.
Overview
A member of the hickory family with the same toughness but often a warmer, more reddish tone. Hard-wearing and handsome.
Commonly built
- Flooring
- Rustic furniture
- Cabinets
Appearance
Reddish-brown heartwood with paler sapwood; grain similar to hickory but often a bit more uniform and warmer in color.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Dense and hard like hickory, hard on edges and prone to tearout. Rewards sharp tools and careful grain reading. Finishes nicely.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn pecan panel moves roughly 0.49 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Pecan move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Pecan?
Pecan has a Janka hardness of 1820 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Pecan suitable for outdoor use?
Pecan is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Pecan to work with?
Pecan has Fair workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Pecan move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn pecan panel moves roughly 0.49 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Finishes like hickory (its close relative): takes stain fairly evenly, shows sapwood/heartwood contrast, dense enough that penetration is slow. Fill the open grain for a smooth film finish or leave it for a rustic look.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used pecan, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.