Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight but can be irregular or wavy; commonly features cathedral patterns in flat-sawn sections and often develops highly figured crotch and burl patterns near branch junctions.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a golden-brown to deep chocolate brown with darker streaks; sapwood is pale creamy-yellow to gray. It typically lightens slightly and develops a warm patina with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding decay resistance, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, interior trim, gunstocks, musical instruments (especially guitars), and wood turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $10.00 to $20.00 per board foot depending on thickness and figuring.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut or recently harvested log based on the presence of green bark residue and moist wood shavings (likely less than 6 months since felling).
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes very well, though it can occasionally produce tearout on irregular grain areas.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked; contains juglone which can be a mild irritant; highly prized for its dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung oil or linseed oil) beautifully enhance the natural color; polyurethane or lacquer provide excellent protection for furniture.
Identification Confidence
Medium; the dark heartwood visible through the rough-cut surface combined with the fibrous bark texture and creamy sapwood transition are highly characteristic of Juglans nigra, though the rough state of the log prevents absolute certainty without a clean end-grain cross-section.