Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
The grain is typically straight but can be irregular; the sample displays a prominent cathedral grain pattern with some swirling and small knots.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. This sample shows a warm medium brown with characteristic oxidation.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Eastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on width and figure quality.
Wood Age Estimate
The warm patina and ambering of the finish suggest this wood has been in a finished product for approximately 10 to 20 years.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); not listed in CITES appendices. Widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes and glues well and takes a finish exceptionally well, though figured areas can prone to tearout.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild spicy scent when being worked; high tannin content; known for its excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Responds excellently to oil-based finishes (tung or boiled linseed oil) which enhance the depth and chatoyancy. Polyurethane or lacquer are recommended for high-wear surfaces.
Identification Confidence
High; the grain structure, pore distribution, and specific color transition around the small knots are classic diagnostic features of Juglans nigra.