Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a medium texture; appears to be a rift-sawn or quarter-sawn cut exhibiting narrow growth rings and uniform vertical lines without cathedral figure.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a creamy chocolate brown to dark coffee brown with darker streaks; the sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. The wood tends to lighten and take on a golden-brown hue with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack (specifically powder post beetles).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, interior paneling, flooring, and musical instruments (guitar backs and sides).
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Southern Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears modern but seasoned; the oxidation and surface scuffs suggest it has been milled for 1-5 years.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in North America.
Workability
Excellent workability with both machine and hand tools; planes smoothly, glues well, and takes stains and finishes excellently. Prone to minor tearout if the grain is irregular.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked; known for high dimensional stability and low shrinkage once dried.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for oil-based finishes (tung oil, Danish oil) or polyurethane to enhance the natural chocolate tones. Lacquer and shellac are also highly effective.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the deep brown heartwood color, open pores typical of the Juglandaceae family, and the specific tight vertical grain structure are characteristic of high-quality Black Walnut blanks.