Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight but can be irregular; featured here with a likely cathedral or flat-sawn pattern showing deep chocolate figure and some moderate curl.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Over time, it develops a lustrous patina and usually lightens slightly.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned items, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on figure and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Indeterminate; however, the deep oxidation suggests a seasoned piece or heartwood from a mature tree.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools. It glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can occasionally exhibit tearout during planing if the grain is figured.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked; contains juglone which can be an allergen to some; known for its excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Responds exceptionally well to penetrating oils (tung or linseed) and waxes to highlight its natural chatoyance; also takes polyurethane and lacquer well.
Identification Confidence
Medium; the visible dark coffee tones and grain texture are characteristic of Juglans nigra, but the image blurriness prevents a definitive high-confidence rating.