Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight but can be irregular; featured here with a semi-open pore structure and slight cathedral-style arching typical of flat-sawn gunstock blanks.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from medium to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks; sapwood is pale yellow-gray (not visible here). It tends to lighten over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay even in moist conditions, though susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Gunstocks, high-end furniture, cabinetry, interior paneling, veneer, turned items, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Eastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot for standard grade; premium figured blanks can exceed $100 per unit.
Wood Age Estimate
The patina and finish suggests a vintage sample, likely 30-60 years old based on the oxidation level and the specific application (gunstock).
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered sustainable but threatened locally by Thousand Cankers Disease.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; it glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can produce tearout on figured sections.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild spicy scent when worked; contains juglone (a mild toxin); prized for high dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Linseed oil or Tung oil are traditional for gunstocks to highlight depth; polyurethane or lacquer for high-durability furniture.
Identification Confidence
High; the deep chocolate hue combined with the specific pore distribution and use as a gunstock is diagnostic for Juglans nigra.