Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Durable regarding heartwood decay resistance, though sapwood is highly susceptible to insect attack (powderpost beetles/borers visible along edges).
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Grain Pattern
Flat-sawn grain with cathedral figure along the central face, featuring irregular, wavy growth rings and distinct live-edge sapwood margins.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from pale chocolate brown to darker brownish hues with faint purple undertones; sapwood is yellowish-white to pale tan with noticeable insect tracking and weathering along the live edges.
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable regarding heartwood decay resistance, though sapwood is highly susceptible to insect attack (powderpost beetles/borers visible along edges).
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $8.00 - $14.00 per board foot (varies depending on slab size and extent of live-edge sapwood degradation).
- Wood Age Estimate
- Rough-sawn slab likely milled within the last 5-15 years, showing significant natural aging, drying surface texture, and insect infestation along the sapwood.
- Sustainability Status
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern. Widely available and commercially harvested, non-CITES listed.
Common Uses
Live-edge furniture (tables, benches), rustic cabinetry, woodturning, accent slabs, and decorative woodworking.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Heartwood cuts, planes, and sands exceptionally well with both hand and machine tools; gluing and finishing properties are excellent, though sapwood areas require cleaning or stabilization due to wormholes.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oil finish (Tung oil or Danish oil) or wiping varnish to rich color; clear epoxy resin filling is recommended for stabilizing insect holes along the sapwood boundaries.
Notable Features
Distinctive dark heartwood contrasting sharply with sapwood; clear evidence of wood-boring insect activity in outer sapwood; classic mild nut-like scent when freshly worked.
