Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy. Known for cathedral patterns in flat-sawn boards and highly prized crotch or burl figure.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to chocolate brown with darker streaks; sometimes has a grey, purple, or reddish cast. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Over time, it typically lightens to a golden brown.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack (specifically powderpost beetles).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, flooring, gunstocks, interior trim, veneer, turned objects, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $20.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
N/A - Sample shown is a living sapling (under 2 years old), not harvested timber.
Sustainability Status
Widely available and generally sustainable; not CITES listed or on the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes exceptionally well, though the dust can be a respiratory irritant.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild scent when being worked. Contains juglone, a chemical that can be toxic to certain other plants and a mild allergen to humans/horses. High dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Best with clear finishes like Danish oil, tung oil, or polyurethane to highlight natural color. No stain is usually required; often benefit from a sanding sealer.
Identification Confidence
High (regarding the living specimen). Identified by the pinnately compound leaves with 11-23 leaflets, serrated margins, and the characteristic lack of a terminal leaflet often seen in the genus Juglans, paired with reddish petioles common in young saplings.