Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy. The bark texture and visible end grain indicate a semi-ring-porous structure typical of Walnut; crotch figure and burls are common in this species.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is creamy white/yellow. Color tends to lighten and take on a golden hue with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $15.00 per board foot (depending on width and grade)
Wood Age Estimate
Fresh cut/green wood. The bark is intact and relatively fresh with visible lichen, suggesting the log was recently harvested or downed.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes well. It is known for its ability to hold detail and stain minimally due to its natural beauty.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked. Contains juglone, which can be an irritant to some users and is toxic to some plants (horses can be sensitive to sawdust).
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils (tung, linseed) or clear grain fillers followed by polyurethane or lacquer to highlight the natural depth and chatoyance.
Identification Confidence
Medium. While the bark texture (deeply furrowed, diamond-shaped patterns) strongly suggests Black Walnut, a definitive ID would require seeing a surfaced section of the heartwood to distinguish it from similar species like Butternut.