The Texas BBQ Forum

When using hickory to smoke with, is there a certain species that is better than another? Around here we have mostly shagbark, which I've read is closely related to pecan. Anyone use a variety of hickory notice a difference in the taste?

Shagbark reminds me of southern (Texas) hickory, not pecan. It's what we have in Maine too.
dj

Any wood will have a different flavor based on the soil it's been growing in. But that hickory should be good for smoking.

Know the old Preplexed Opossum up in Maine touts the virtues of Shag Bark Hickory highly extensively.

bigwheel

Never used pecan, nor seen it for that matter. Just going off what I've read. plan to cut down a Shagbark in a week or so. Should be good to use next summer. Got some Ash, Walnut, Cherry, and a few others to pick up. If you can't tell, I've made a few friends with ample amounts of wood with my smoking. I'd better get out the saw and get busy.

Pecan is in the hickory family and I use it for most all of my Q. While, my palate ain't specialized enough to tell the differences with of each different variety of hickory, I can tell the difference between hickory and pecan...

Sure that shaggy bark stuff be good to use!