Hickory and pecan are so closely related to each other that lumber mills are not bound by requirements to differentiate between the two woods when selling them to customers. We buy from mills that separate the two. The hickory that we purchase has been hand selected for its white color and has limited character or discoloration flaws in it. It is very hard and dense and tends to be a bit brittle in certain applications. Over all it is quite durable; it also sands nicely and finishes very well.