Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight but sometimes irregular or wavy; this sample shows a flat-sawn face with a prominent cathedral grain and some circular burls or knots; semi-ring-porous texture
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is a pale yellowish-gray to nearly white. This sample exhibits high contrast between the creamy sapwood edges and the darker heartwood center, which tends to lighten slightly over time if left in direct sunlight.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable and very resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack (evidenced by the visible borer holes in this sample).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and wood turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 to $15.00 per board foot depending on width and figure
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to 2 years; the rough-sawn surface and presence of bark indicate it is unrefined green or air-dried lumber recently taken from a log.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Excellent workability with both machine and hand tools; planes smoothly and glues well. It holds nails and screws well, though pre-drilling is recommended near edges to prevent splitting.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked. Contains juglone, which can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Known for its exceptional dimensional stability after seasoning.
Finish Recommendations
Takes finishes extremely well. Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) enhance the natural chocolate tones and chatoyancy; clear polyurethane or lacquer is often used to preserve the color contrast.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate heartwood versus creamy sapwood transition, paired with the specific bark texture and porous grain structure, is diagnostic of Juglans nigra.