Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight but can be irregular; features prominent cathedral arches on flat-sawn surfaces with decorative knots and swirling grain around limb attachments.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light coffee to deep chocolate brown with occasionally purplish or grayish streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Often lightens with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern Northern America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on width and figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Recently milled/surfaced lumber showing fresh planar marks and minimal oxidation; likely less than 2 years since processed.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally sustainable.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. Glues, stains, and finishes well. Can occasionally have surfacing tearout if the grain is highly figured.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked. Faintly acidic taste. Known for its superb dimensional stability and high strength-to-weight ratio.
Finish Recommendations
Wiping oils (Linseed/Tung) or Danish oil to enhance deep color and chatoyance; polyurethane or lacquer for high-wear surfaces.
Identification Confidence
High; the rich chocolate brown hue, semi-ring-porous grain structure, and the specific appearance of the knot and cathedral patterns are characteristic of Juglans nigra.