Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1010 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Durable, with good resistance to decay and moderate resistance to insect attack.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with a moderate natural luster and a flat-sawn cathedral pattern visible around the knot.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a darker chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is nearly white to yellowish-gray, showing weathering and oxidation due to age and exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
1010 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable, with good resistance to decay and moderate resistance to insect attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 8.00 to 15.00 USD per board foot depending on grade and width.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be several decades old based on surface oxidation, weathering, and patina.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices or IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available from managed domestic forests.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, architectural millwork, veneer, gunstocks, and turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. Glues, stains, and finishes exceptionally well, though it can occasionally tear out on figured sections during planing.
Finish Recommendations
Takes oils, varnishes, lacquers, and polyurethanes very well; hand-rubbed oil finishes particularly enhance the deep grain and color.
Notable Features
Stable dimensionally, moderate shock resistance, and characteristic rich color that ages gracefully.
