Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain in the majority of the slab, with slight waviness and figure around the natural knot; flat-sawn orientation showing cathedral patterns along the length.
Color Description
The heartwood is a pale grayish-brown in its freshly cut state (likely to darken to a deep chocolate brown with oxidation and UV exposure), while the sapwood is a distinct creamy white to pale yellow. It naturally possesses a dull luster that brightens significantly when finished.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding decay resistance; the heartwood is highly resistant to rot, though the sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Used for high-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, and rustic live-edge outdoor furniture like this bench.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America, concentrated in the Midwestern and Northeastern United States.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $15.00 per board foot for live-edge slabs, depending on width and figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly harvested and milled; the bright color of the heartwood and white sapwood, combined with fresh sawdust and lack of oxidation, suggests it was cut within the last few weeks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES or IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range, though large specimen trees are highly prized.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools; it planes and sands well, holds nails and screws effectively, and glues reliably. Its moderate density prevents excessive blade dulling.
Notable Features
Features a distinct, mild spicy scent when cut; contains juglone (a natural herbicide) and may cause mild allergic reactions or respiratory irritation in some individuals.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils (like Tung or Danish oil) are highly recommended to enhance deep color and chatoyance; for a bench like this, an outdoor-rated spar urethane or UV-resistant oil is ideal to prevent graying.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of deep furrowed bark, the sharp contrast between creamy sapwood and grayish-brown heartwood, and the specific ring-porous grain structure is characteristic of young Black Walnut.