It is rarely pointed at top, although it may be either rounded or abruptly pointed at the base. The wood is heavy, hard, tough, and very strong. It is used largely in the manufacture of agricultural implements and tool handles. For fuel, the hickories are the most satisfactory of our native trees. The dense wood gives off much heat.
Hickories are tolerant of construction and human activity.
This tree is likely to survive the construction of a home on the site. Trees in a landscape often predate the home. Hickories are slow growing and difficult to transplant, thus this tree is rarely found in nurseries. The mockernut, white hickory, whiteheart, or bigbud hickory is commonly found on well-drained soils throughout the state. The tree has an upright habit even when grown in the open.