When a hickory tree is burned, the wood is primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which are organic polymers. When the wood burns, this combustion process releases stored chemical energy in the form of heat and light.
Hickory wood is known for its high energy content and is often used for cooking and heating because it produces a long-lasting and hot fire. The burning of hickory wood can release not only energy but also various byproducts such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other compounds, depending on the completeness of the combustion process.
Essentially, the chemical use of hickory wood as a natural resource lies in its ability to be converted into heat energy through the combustion process.