Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
End grain shows semi-ring-porous structure with distinct growth rings and visible earlywood pores; typically straight to irregular grain in main timber.
Color Description
Sapwood is creamy white to pale tan (prominent in this young sample); heartwood is small and light brown in center. Heartwood typically darkens to a chocolate brown with age.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable (Heartwood); this sample is mostly sapwood which is perishable and susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, veneer, and small turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot for kiln-dried lumber; this specific raw limb has negligible commercial value.
Wood Age Estimate
8-10 years based on counting individual growth rings visible on the cross-section.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and sustainable.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well, though large amount of sapwood may require dyeing to match heartwood.
Notable Features
Distinctive mildly spicy odor when cut; contains juglone (a mild toxin); prized for its shock resistance and dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Tung oil or Danish oil to highlight natural figure; polyurethane for durability. Seal sapwood first if uniform color is desired.
Identification Confidence
High; the thick corky bark, distinct ring-porous end grain, and coloration of the pith/sapwood are characteristic of a young Juglans nigra branch.