Final answer:
Southern BBQ is characterized by the slow smoking process using hickory wood, reflecting the historical use of locally available hickory and a preference for pork in the regional agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cooking process of pulled pork that is most influenced by Southern BBQ entails slow smoking with hickory wood. Hickory wood is a hardwood tree common to the forests of the Eastern US and is a favored wood for smoking pork in the Southern BBQ tradition, particularly in Appalachia. The Southern BBQ style is prominently known for featuring pork due to the region's history of pig farming and the prevalence of hickory trees. Smoking meat, as a preservation method, was especially embraced in the South, where it was necessary to prevent spoilage in a climate that did not easily allow for meat preservation. This led to a rich tradition of barbecue, with regional variations in sauces and techniques, such as the use of different woods and flavorings that complement the smoking process.