Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America, widely distributed across the central and eastern United States.
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Durable to Very Durable regarding heartwood rot and decay resistance; sapwood is vulnerable to insect attack.
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Grain Pattern
Mostly straight grain with light cathedral figuring around knots and a fine-to-medium uniform texture; shows flat-sawn surface features.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from light golden-brown to dark chocolate brown with greyish undertones. Creamy white sapwood is visible along the outer edges, showing distinct color contrast.
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable to Very Durable regarding heartwood rot and decay resistance; sapwood is vulnerable to insect attack.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $8.00 to $14.00 per board foot depending on grade, width, and sapwood percentage.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently rough-sawn lumber, likely harvested and milled within the last 1–3 years.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and sustainably harvested in North America. Not listed on CITES appendices.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, interior trim, gunstocks, turned objects, veneer, and custom woodworking projects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America, widely distributed across the central and eastern United States.
Workability
Easy to machine and work with hand tools. Glues, stains, and finishes exceptionally well, though heartwood can occasionally cause slight dulling of cutting edges.
Finish Recommendations
Clear coat, oil-based varnish, polyurethane, or penetrating oil (such as Tung oil or Danish oil) to highlight the rich natural color tones without mudding the grain.
Notable Features
Faint, characteristic sweet smell when worked. High stability after drying and highly prized dark brown coloration.
