Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a heavy cathedral figure near the knot; texture is medium and pores are semi-ring-porous.
Color Description
Medium to dark chocolate brown heartwood with hints of purplish-grey; sapwood (visible on the edge) is pale yellowish-white. It tends to lighten or turn more amber with age and UV exposure.
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, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on thickness and grade (FAS).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber; the clean saw marks and relatively fresh oxidation on the face suggest the sample was milled within the last 1-5 years.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in North America.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes very well, though grain can tear out near knots.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked; contains juglone which can be an allergen; noted for its exceptional dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Best finished with penetrating oils (Linseed or Tung) to enhance depth, or polyurethane for protection. High-grade lacquer is common for furniture.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown hue, open pore structure, and the specific transition to the lighter sapwood edge are classic indicators of Juglans nigra.