hickory

(hĭkˈə-rē)

1. Any of several chiefly North American deciduous trees of the genus Carya, having smooth or shaggy bark, compound leaves, and hard smooth stones or nuts, each containing an edible seed and surrounded by a husk that splits into four valves.
2. a. The hard, tough, heavy wood of such a tree.
   b. A walking stick or switch made from such wood.