Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Circular growth rings in the end grain with visible cathedral patterns on faces. This log section shows some irregular grain around knots and significant insect tracking / spalting patterns in the sapwood.
Color Description
Dark chocolate brown heartwood with a distinct creamy white to pale yellow sapwood. The heartwood will often lighten with age and light exposure, while sapwood can yellow. Moderate luster.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding heartwood rot resistance; however, sapwood is highly susceptible to insect attack (evidenced by the borings in this sample).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and wood turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot for kiln-dried lumber, though lower for raw log sections and logs with significant sapwood/damage.
Wood Age Estimate
Approximately 20 to 25 years based on visible annual growth rings in the cross-section. The log appears to be freshly cut or reclaimed recently due to the intact bark and lack of significant graying.
Sustainability Status
Stable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available and managed sustainably in North America.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, turns, and sands well. It finishes beautifully, though the dust can be an irritant to some.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, spicy scent when worked. Contains juglone, which can be toxic to certain plants and irritating to some animals (especially horses). High contrast between heartwood and sapwood.
Finish Recommendations
Responds excellently to oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) which deepen the chocolate tones. Polyurethane or lacquer provides great protection for furniture.
Identification Confidence
High. The distinct contrast between the dark heartwood and wide blonde sapwood, combined with the characteristic bark texture and growth ring structure, is definitive of Juglans nigra.