Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with visible cathedral patterning on flat-sawn surfaces; medium-coarse texture with semi-ring porous structure.
Color Description
Medium to dark brown heartwood with chocolate tones and occasional purplish streaks; sapwood is pale yellowish-gray. It tends to lighten and take on more golden hues with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; very resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $12.00–$18.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
20–50 years based on the patina, wear, and the style of the carving/joinery visible.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Excellent workability with hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes very well. Sharp tools are required to prevent grain tearout in figured areas.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, sweet odor when worked; contains juglone (mild toxin/irritant); highly valued for its shock resistance and dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) or polyurethane to enhance the deep chocolate color and grain depth. Shellac is also an excellent traditional primer.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of diffused-porous grain structure, chocolate-brown heartwood color with characteristic oxidation, and the specific vessel pore arrangement is diagnostic for Black Walnut.