Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular; features include cathedral grain on flat-sawn surfaces and occasional wavy or curly figure near limb crotches.
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. Color tends to lighten/yellow over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack (sapwood).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot for kiln-dried select grade lumber; logs as pictured vary by diameter and quality.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut/felled log sections; visible chainsaw marks and moisture retention in the end grain suggest these were harvested within the last 6-12 months.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally managed sustainably in North America.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well. Can occasionally have surfacing tearout if grain is interlocked.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy odor when being worked; contains juglone which can be a mild irritant; known for excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Responds exceptionally well to penetrating oils (tung or linseed) and polyurethane; clear coats are preferred to showcase the natural dark chocolate tones.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of deeply furrowed 'diamond' pattern bark, the distinct contrast between the dark heartwood and creamy sapwood, and the diffuse-porous end grain is characteristic of Juglans nigra.