Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight but can be irregular; features a medium texture and moderate natural luster. Given this is a raw log with bark, the internal grain is likely to be straight to wavy with potential for cathedral patterns if flat-sawn.
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. Wood tends to lighten over time with exposure to UV light.
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 paneling, veneer, turned objects, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot for premium kiln-dried lumber; significantly less as a raw log.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly harvested to 1 year; the bark is intact and relatively fresh with minimal signs of significant desiccation or deep checking, though some surface oxidation is present on cut areas.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and generally managed sustainably.
Workability
Exceptional workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes extremely well. High tannin content can react with iron tools if the wood is wet.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked. Contains juglone, which can be a mild allergen to some. Known for its excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) are highly recommended to enhance the natural dark tones. Polyurethane or lacquer are suitable for protection.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the bark texture (deeply furrowed, diamond-shaped patterns visible in mature sections), the dark staining visible on the exposed wood where bark is missing, and the branch attachment patterns are highly characteristic of Juglans nigra.