Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy; notable for end grain showing semi-ring-porous structure and medium to large pores
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light to dark chocolate brown; sapwood is pale semi-white to yellowish-gray. Darkens with age unless exposed to high UV
Hardness Rating
1010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable (highly resistant to heartwood decay; susceptible to insect attack on sapwood)
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, and turned objects
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $20.00 USD per board foot depending on figure and width
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut log (0-1 months) based on wet appearance of the end grain and intact, fresh bark
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; generally sustainable
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well; can occasionally have irregular grain that causes tearout
Notable Features
Distinctive mildly spicy odor when being worked; known for high dimensional stability and excellent shock resistance
Finish Recommendations
Responds excellently to oils (tung or linseed) and waxes which enhance the natural color; polyurethane or lacquer for high-wear surfaces
Identification Confidence
High. The deeply furrowed, dark chocolate-colored bark and the characteristic dark heartwood contrast against the thin, light sapwood are classic indicators of Juglans nigra.