Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight but can be irregular; features deep, coarse texture with open pores and prominent growth rings visible on the cross-sections of these logs.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to chocolate brown; sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. This sample shows typical warm brown heartwood tones that darken with age and exposure to UV.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to decay and rot, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, veneer, flooring, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly felled logs (under 6 months) based on the light color of the sapwood and lack of significant weathering or checking on the end grain.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes very well. Can be prone to tear-out if grain is irregular.
Notable Features
Features a distinct, faint spicy scent when being worked; contains juglone which can be an irritant to some individuals; known for excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Responds excellently to oil-based finishes (tung oil, linseed oil) which enhance the depth of color; clear polyurethane or lacquer for durability in high-traffic areas.
Identification Confidence
High; the deeply furrowed bark pattern and the distinct contrast between the dark chocolate heartwood and pale creamy sapwood on the freshly cut rounds are classic diagnostic features of Juglans nigra.