Historically, hickory was the ultimate wood of choice for the highest quality barrel hoops, but never for the barrel stays as it has a low tolerance for moisture. Today it is mostly used for decorative paneling veneers and for furniture manufacture. It is a perfect choice for molded and bent plywood needs that require hickory's level of flexibility. For the same reason it is great for striking tools, such as handles for hammers and pick axes. It is used for agricultural implements and gymnasium apparatus.
Hickory is fine for skis, bats, golf clubs, and poles.
It is also used for ladder rungs and dowels. Lower grades of hickory are used for pallets and blocking. Hickory was once considered the most efficient heating fuel in the country. It still makes the best hardwood charcoal. Its main claim to fame as firewood is that it produces more heat per volume than any other wood, in some cases it is four times more efficient.