Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain predominantly with a slight wave; flat-sawn displaying typical cathedral patterns. Features a medium-coarse texture with semi-ring-porous arrangement.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a creamy light brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. The wood exhibits a dull luster but develops a deep patina over time, often lightening towards amber with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot depending on width and grade (4/4 thickness).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely kiln-dried and recently milled. The oxidation is minimal, indicating primary processing within the last 1–3 years.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can occasionally have tearout on pieces with irregular grain.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked. Known for its shock resistance and dimensional stability after drying. Dust can be a sensitizer/irritant for some users.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) or clear polyurethanes to enhance the natural dark tones. Shellac or lacquer are also excellent choices for a high-gloss look.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic coffee-brown heartwood color combined with the specific cathedral grain structure and pore distribution is diagnostic of Juglans nigra.