Black Walnut (likely sapwood/light cut)
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight grain with some slight waving and cathedral peaking visible on the face; mostly open-pored texture with a medium-to-coarse grain typical of flat-sawn stock.
Color Description
Pale tan to light cream coloration indicating a high percentage of sapwood. While Walnut heartwood is dark brown, the sapwood is consistently off-white to yellowish-gray, which yellows slightly with age and exposure to UV light.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Heartwood is very durable, but the sapwood present in this sample is non-durable and susceptible to insect attack and rot if exposed to moisture.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, interior trim, paneling, turned objects, and novelty items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $12.00 per board foot (Note: sapwood often lowers value compared to all-heartwood boards).
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled; the lack of oxidation, absence of dust/grime, and sharp fibrous edges suggest this is new lumber.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; generally considered widely sustainable across its range.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It glues, stains, and finishes well, though the open pores may require filling for a glass-smooth finish.
Notable Features
Faint, pleasant, mild spicy odor when worked. This sample is predominantly sapwood which is softer and more porous than the heartwood of the same species.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (Danish oil or Tung oil) will enhance the grain; clear polyurethane or lacquer is recommended to prevent the light sapwood from yellowing too aggressively.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the pore structure, fibrous edge texture, and specific tan-cream hue are highly characteristic of Black Walnut sapwood, though some temperate hardwoods like Butternut can look similar.