Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy; medium texture with semi-ring-porous structure and moderate natural luster.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Color tends to lighten/yellow over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack (sapwood).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $15.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut to 1 year; the lack of deep oxidation/graying and the presence of rough chainsaw or rough-sawn marks suggest recent harvesting.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes well, glues, stains, and finishes excellently. It has good dimensional stability.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy nut-like scent when being worked; known for its excellent shock resistance and strength-to-weight ratio.
Finish Recommendations
Responds exceptionally well to clear finishes; oil-based polyurethane or tung oil are recommended to enhance the deep chocolate tones and natural chatoyance.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown heartwood color, semi-ring-porous end grain, and commonality in workshop environments strongly indicate Black Walnut.