Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight but can be irregular; features a medium texture with moderate natural luster; the sample shows a rough, natural bark exterior with visible inner cambium.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a golden brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks; sapwood is creamy white to pale yellow; heartwood tends to lighten and turn more golden with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 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 trim, flooring, veneer, and wood turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot (standard lumber retail price)
Wood Age Estimate
3-5 years (based on the thickness of the branch and the state of the drying/cracking bark)
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 very well, though it has a faint, characteristic odor when being worked.
Notable Features
Distinctive dark brown heartwood; produces juglone, a chemical that can be toxic to other plants; has a unique nutty scent when freshly cut; moderate weight and good dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or wiping varnishes effectively enhance the deep color; polyurethane provides durable protection for high-wear surfaces.
Identification Confidence
Medium; the dark wood beneath the deeply furrowed, chocolate-brown bark is highly characteristic of Black Walnut branch wood, though a clean cross-section would be required for 100% certainty.