Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy; notable for cathedral patterns in flat-sawn cuts and sometimes displays burl or crotch figure near limb junctions.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a golden brown to a deep chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Color tends to lighten and become more golden over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
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 turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $12.00 - $20.00 per board foot for premium kiln-dried lumber, though lower for green logs.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut log (likely less than 1-2 months old) based on the light color of the end grain and moist appearance of the bark interface.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices; categorized as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN; widely available through FSC certified sources.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; planes and sands easily; glues and finishes exceptionally well, though it can occasionally produce tearout with figured grain.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked; can cause allergic reactions in some individuals; high tannin content; known for its stability once seasoned.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or wiping varnishes are highly recommended to bring out its natural chatoyance; polyurethane or lacquer for high-wear surfaces.
Identification Confidence
High; identification based on the characteristic chocolate-brown heartwood versus thin creamy sapwood ring, the rough greyish bark, and typical growth ring spacing for the species.