Black Walnut (alternative: Cherry or Teak depending on regional source)
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Central North America
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
- Durability
- Durable; good natural resistance to heartwood rot and decay
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular flat-sawn face with a fine to medium texture and subtle cathedral graining
Color & Appearance
Light brown to warm yellowish-tan heartwood with a narrow light pale sapwood border attached to dark gray rough live-edge bark
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable; good natural resistance to heartwood rot and decay
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $10 - $18 per board foot for live-edge rough slabs
- Wood Age Estimate
- Rough-sawn slab aged 5 to 15 years post-harvest based on dry patina, surface dust, and bark degradation
- Sustainability Status
- Not CITES listed; classified as Least Concern on IUCN Red List; widely available and sustainable
Common Uses
Live-edge tables, fine furniture, cabinetry, woodturning, carving, and decorative slabs
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Workability
Easy to machine and hand-tool, glues and finishes well, moderate dust mask recommended during sanding
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils (Tung or Danish oil) or hard-wax oils (Rubio Monocoat) to emphasize color tones, topped with polyurethane for live-edge tabletop durability
Notable Features
Distinct coarse thick bark, sharp transition between sapwood and heartwood, high dimensional stability once dried