Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked and wavy grain with cathedral patterns and visible 'crotch wood' or figured swirls in the lower-left corner; semi-porous texture with moderate grain definition.
Color Description
Chocolate brown heartwood with darker brown/black streaks; shows golden-brown luster and chatoyance where the grain twists; sapwood (not visible) is typically creamy white. Tends to lighten/yellow over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack (beetles).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, flooring, musical instruments, and interior trim.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Ranges from $12.00 to $20.00 per board foot for high-figure or slab material.
Wood Age Estimate
The deep oxidation and darkening suggesting a vintage piece or reclaimed slab, likely 20-50 years old as a finished product, originally cut from a mature tree roughly 60-80 years old.
Sustainability Status
Not CITES listed or on the IUCN Red List of threatened species; widely available from FSC-certified sources in North America.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well. Figures like the wavy grain shown can occasionally cause tearout during planing.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked; medium grain texture; high value due to aesthetic appeal and dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for drying oils (Tung or Linseed) to enhance depth; clear film finishes like lacquer or polyurethane help protect the color from UV fading.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of chocolate-brown color, specific large pore structure visible in the grain, and the characteristic figure is classic for North American Black Walnut.