Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with visible cathedral patterns and faint wavy figures; diffuse-porous to semi-ring-porous texture.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light pale brown to dark chocolate brown. Sapwood is creamy white to pale yellow. The wood tends to lighten and turn more gold/yellow with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; very resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned items, and flooring.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 - $20.00 per board foot depending on width and figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to recently dried (under 2 years); little to no oxidation or patina present on the surface.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Excellent workability with hand and machine tools. Glues, stains, and finishes well. Can occasionally have tearout in areas of figured grain.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, pleasant spicy scent when being worked; contains juglone which can be an irritant to some users.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) to enhance natural color; polyurethane or lacquer for protection. Dyes can be used to blend sapwood.
Identification Confidence
High; the color contrast between the pale sapwood and the brown heartwood, combined with the grain structure, is characteristic of North American Black Walnut.