Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or interlocked; provides cathedral patterns when flat-sawn. Also known for decorative crotch, burl, and curly figures.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks; sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Over time, wood becomes lighter and more golden.
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, veneer, interior trim, flooring, gunstocks, musical instruments, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $20.00 per board foot depending on thickness and grade (highly prized and expensive for a domestic hardwood).
Wood Age Estimate
Sample shown is a living sapling (approx. 1-2 years old); mature harvested wood usually comes from trees 50-100 years old.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and FSC certified sources exist.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well. Can occasionally have irregular grain that results in tearout during surfacing.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, sweet odor when being worked. Known for high toxicity to certain plants (juglone production). Excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Tung oil or Danish oil to highlight natural color; clear polyurethane for durability; shellac or lacquer for a traditional high-luster finish.
Identification Confidence
High; the leaf structure (pinnately compound, 11-23 leaflets), serrated margins, and visible stem morphology are characteristic of the Juglans genus, specifically Black Walnut.