Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular. Shows a cathedral pattern in the center profile with a medium texture and moderate natural luster.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Color tends to lighten/yellow over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and small specialty wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on width and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
The rough-sawn surface and oxidation suggests this board has been air-staying or stored for 2-5 years; the tree itself was likely 50-80 years old.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable within its native range.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can occasionally have irregular grain that causes tearout during planing.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy odor when being worked. Known for excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Responds exceptionally well to oil-based finishes (tung or linseed oil) which pop the grain, or clear polyurethane/lacquer for protection.
Identification Confidence
High; the chocolate brown heartwood transition to light sapwood, coupled with the distinctive bark texture and pore structure, is characteristic of Juglans nigra.