Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular with cathedral patterns; features distinctive dark streaks and visible open pores typical of flat-sawn walnut lumber
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from medium to dark chocolate brown. Sapwood is yellowish-gray to off-white. This sample shows significant color variation with darker inclusions and a medium luster
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, interior trim, flooring, gunstocks, veneer, and turned objects
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on width and grading
Wood Age Estimate
Modern milling (likely within the last 5-10 years) based on the sharpness of the grain and light oxidation of the sapwood
Sustainability Status
Stable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well; can occasionally experience tearout with figured grain
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, spicy odor when being worked; high tannin content; known for exceptional dimensional stability and shock resistance
Finish Recommendations
Responds excellently to oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) to enhance depth; clear polyurethane or lacquer is recommended for durability
Identification Confidence
High; the specific chocolate brown hue combined with visible pore structure and dark growth ring transitions is characteristic of Juglans nigra