Hickory Lumber   Carya ovata & Carya cordiformis

We have two types of Hickory in our woods - Shagbark and Bitternut.   If Abraham Lincoln were a tree, he'd be a Shagbark - tough, patient, dignified, with beautiful shaggy bark which provides great habitat for insects and bats.  (oops, the analogy is falling apart!) Anyway, this tree is tremendous - makes beautiful lumber, is great for wildlife, is beautiful to look at all year round.  

At the other end of the spectrum, Bitternut Hickory grows like a weed, but in it's headlong rush to succeed, it ignores long-term health, leaving itself succeptible to disease and decay.  Despite impressive growth achievements, it's vigorous exterior is a virtual comb-over, hiding it's rotten core.  

Strangely enough, the lumber from the two trees can be hard to tell apart.