Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a cathedral figure visible in this flat-sawn section; semi-porous texture with a medium to coarse grain appearance.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is a pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Over time, it develops a lustrous patina and usually lightens slightly with UV exposure.
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, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $20.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern cut (less than 10 years old) based on the clarity of the sapwood Transition and the lack of significant oxidative darkening or surface wear.
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 a mild characteristic odor when being worked.
Notable Features
Distinctive dark brown color that is unique among temperate hardwoods; possesses a mild, spicy scent when cut; contains juglone which can be a mild irritant to some.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils (like Tung or Danish oil) or shellac to enhance chatoyance; polyurethane or lacquer for high-wear surfaces like tables or floors.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown heartwood, pale transition to sapwood, and the specific diffuse-porous cathedral grain pattern are quintessential markers of Juglans nigra.