Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular with cathedral patterns on flat-sawn surfaces; includes knots, crotch figure near junctions, and some wavy grain and burling around defects.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light to dark chocolate brown; sapwood is creamy white to yellowish. Color darkens slightly with age but can fade with heavy UV exposure. Lustrous finish.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, flooring, and decorative turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot for live-edge slabs, depending on width and figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or air-drying stock, likely less than 1 year post-harvest based on the visible bark attachment and lack of deep oxidation/patina.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in North America.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes very well. Can be prone to tearout on irregular grain portions.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked. Dust can be a sensitizer for some users. Known for its exceptional dimensional stability after drying.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils (like Tung or Linseed) or wiping varnishes to enhance depth and chatoyance; clear polyurethane for high-wear surfaces like tables.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic contrast between the chocolate heartwood and pale sapwood, combined with the specific bark texture and knot structure, is diagnostic of Black Walnut.