Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a medium-coarse texture; exhibits a slight cathedral figure on the flat-sawn face and occasional wavy or irregular patterns near knots. This sample shows a clear transition from sapwood to longitudinal face grain.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light to dark chocolate brown with occasional streaks of purple or grayish-brown. Sapwood is a distinct pale yellowish-white. The wood tends to lighten and take on gold/honey tones when exposed to sunlight over time.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack. Excellent dimensional stability once seasoned.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, interior paneling, flooring, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $18.00 per board foot for premium grade material.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively fresh milled stock; the bright contrast between sapwood and heartwood suggests modern processing within the last 1-5 years.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range with FSC certification often available.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. Planes and sands very smoothly. It glues, stains, and finishes exceptionally well, though the dust can be an irritant to some users.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, earthy scent when worked. Contains juglone, which can be toxic to certain plants and horses. Known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for clear natural finishes to showcase the grain. Finishes well with tung oil, linseed oil, polyurethane, or lacquer. A sanding sealer is recommended if a glass-smooth surface is desired due to open pores.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown heartwood paired with the stark, pale cream sapwood and the specific semi-ring-porous grain structure is quintessential for Juglans nigra.