Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can involve irregular or wavy patterns; logs show tight growth rings and potential for crotch figure near junctions.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light to dark chocolate brown; sapwood is pale semi-white to yellowish; wood darkens and develops a rich patina over time.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay and rot, 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 and Central United States.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $20.00 per board foot for kiln-dried lumber; as raw logs, significantly lower depending on mill access.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly felled to 6 months old; the bark remains attached and the end grain shows recent mechanical saw cuts with minimal deep surface checking.
Sustainability Status
Stable; not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely managed and available.
Workability
Excellent workability with hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes very well; avoids significant tear-out when grains are straight.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, spicy odor when being worked; contains juglone which can be a mild irritant; known for excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Responds best to oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) to enhance depth; polyurethane or lacquer for high-durability surfaces.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive dark chocolate heartwood contrasting with pale sapwood, coupled with the deeply furrowed characteristic bark, is typical of Juglans nigra.