Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy; exhibits a medium texture with relatively large pores. Flat-sawn samples often show a soft cathedral pattern.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Often develops a rich patina and lightens slightly over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
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 (United States and Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut or recently milled based on the sharp edges and lack of deep oxidation or surface wear, likely less than 2-5 years old since processing.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes and glues well, though figured pieces can experience tearout. It has excelente dimensional stability.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, mild odor when being worked; contains juglone which can be an irritant to some users; prized for its beautiful dark heartwood and excellent finishing properties.
Finish Recommendations
Responds exceptionally well to clear finishes; oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) or polyurethane are recommended to highlight the depth of the grain.
Identification Confidence
Medium; identifying features include the dark chocolate brown heartwood color transitioning to light sapwood and the characteristic pore structure/grain visible on the end and face grain, though the image blurriness limits a 'High' rating.