The earliest record of man's use of Carya species comes from archeological excavations near both the northern and western edges of Carya distribution: hickory and pecan were recovered in strata dated from the Early Archaic. The record of Indian usage of Carya species made by the first European explorers is extensive. Strachey (1612) reported a native American myth of the afterlife which involved hickory; hominy corn and "pokahichary" (a drink which the Powhatan Indians of Virginia made by pounding hickory nuts with water) was served by a goddess to spirits travelling after death to the rising sun. The story implies an ancient and revered place for the nuts in Powhatan tradition. Our word "hickory" is derived from the word "pokahichary" (see Trumbull 1872). Hernando de Soto (in True, 1919) explored the southeastern area of the United States during the period between 1539 and 1542 and reported finding large stores of nut oil. Its commended for a good Remedy in Dolors, and Gripes of the Belly whilst new it has a pleasant Taste; but after six Months, it decays and grows acid. The use of hickory nut oil is mentioned by Bossu who also observed that the Indians baked pancakes in nut oil. Though these are natives of the forest, yet they thrive better, and are more fruitful, in cultivated plantations, and the fruit is in great estimation with the present generation of Indians, particularly juglans exaltata, commonly called shell barked hiccory. The Creeks store up the last in their towns. I have seen above an hundred bushels of these nuts belonging to one family. They pound them to pieces, and then cast them into boiling water, which, after passing through fine strainers, preserves the most oily part of the liquid; this they call by a name which signifies hickory milk it is as sweet and rich as fresh cream, and is an ingredient in most of their cookery, especially homony and corn cakes. Hickory was long used for baseball bats before being replaced by ash wood. Tool handles, ladder rungs, sporting equipment, cabinets, furniture, wheel spokes and drumsticks are made with strong hickory. It’s also used for flooring since it’s good at resisting wear. Hickory trees started growing in vilas county wisconsin between the years 1830 and 1939. Hickory trees can reach heights of over 65 feet tall, and widths of over 40 feet. Most hickories grow to about 100 feet (30 meters) tall. They have a long taproot, or main root that grows downward. Hickories have compound leaves, or leaves made up of several parts called leaflets. Hickory flowers have no petals.