Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America (Central and Eastern United States)
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Very Durable with respect to decay resistance; moderately resistant to insect attack, though sapwood is susceptible.
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Grain Pattern
Generally straight to wavy grain with visible figure (curly/tiger grain visible in face grain on left), fine to medium texture, showing earlywood and latewood growth rings.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from rich chocolate brown to dark reddish-brown with darker purplish streaks; sapwood is pale yellowish-white to creamy grey, contrasting sharply with the heartwood.
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable with respect to decay resistance; moderately resistant to insect attack, though sapwood is susceptible.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $10.00 - $18.00 per board foot (depending on grade, thickness, and figure).
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently rough-sawn lumber, freshly cut from log (minimal oxidation or surface patina, fresh saw marks visible).
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed in CITES appendices; IUCN status Least Concern (LC). Sustainably harvested across eastern North America with widely available FSC certification.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, veneer, turned objects, musical instruments, and specialty woodworking.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Central and Eastern United States)
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. Planes, turns, and sands smoothly, though wavy or figured grain may require careful pass direction to prevent tearout. Glues and finishes extremely well.
Finish Recommendations
Responds exceptionally well to clear natural oil finishes (danish oil, tung oil, boiled linseed oil) to enhance depth and grain figure, as well as lacquer or polyurethane topcoats.
Notable Features
Distinctive pleasant faint aroma when worked. Heartwood contains juglone. Moderately heavy with good dimensional stability and high impact strength.
