Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Durable
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular grain with a medium texture and a distinct growth ring transition, featuring a flat-sawn appearance showing cathedral arches.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks, sometimes with a purplish cast. Sapwood is nearly white to yellowish-gray. Luster is moderate, and the wood darkens slightly over time with exposure to light.
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 to $12.00 per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled or fresh lumber (under 5 years), exhibiting typical rough-sawn surface marks and minimal oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on the CITES appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; generally considered a sustainable and readily available domestic hardwood.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, interior millwork, gunstocks, veneer, and turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Exceptional workability with both hand and machine tools. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can occasionally tear out on figured sections during planing.
Finish Recommendations
Accepts a wide variety of finishes including oil, polyurethane, lacquer, and shellac; oil-based finishes enhance the deep chatoyance and rich color of the heartwood.
Notable Features
Possesses a mild, characteristic pleasant scent when freshly cut. Stable dimensional characteristics and easy to work with relative to its strength.
