Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with visible open pores; sample appears to be flat-sawn. Features a fairly uniform texture with some slight waviness common near knots or crotches.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with even darker brown streaks. Sapwood is yellowish-gray or nearly white. Over time, it tends to develop a golden-brown patina and lightens with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; very resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack (especially sapwood).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and small specialty wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (primarily United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot (depending on width, thickness, and figure).
Wood Age Estimate
Recently milled or surfaced. The crisp edges and lack of deep oxidation suggest the piece was recently planed or sanded, though the base material could be several years old.
Sustainability Status
Abundantly available and not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Excellent. Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Planes cleanly, glues well, and takes stains and finishes exceptionally well. It has a mild, characteristic odor when being worked.
Notable Features
Distinctive walnut scent when cut; contains juglone which can be an allergen for some. Known for its dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (like tung oil or linseed oil) enhance the natural dark tones. Polyurethane or lacquer are recommended for durability in high-touch areas.
Identification Confidence
High. The characteristic chocolate-brown color, open pore structure, and grain typical of Juglans nigra are clearly visible in the planed face and edges of the sample.