Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Circular ring-porous grain with prominent pith center; radial checking (splitting) is evident across the end-grain log cookie
Color Description
Creamy white sapwood outer ring with a developing chocolate brown heartwood near the center. The wood will darken to a deep brown with age.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; Heartwood is very resistant to decay, though the prominent sapwood in this sample is susceptible to insects.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, bowl turning, and veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $15.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Fresh cut (under 1 year) based on the bright color of the sapwood and the sharp, unoxidized radial cracks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List; widely available and sustainable.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes extremely well, though it can elicit allergic reactions in some.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild spicy scent when cut; contains juglone which can be a mild irritant; excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Denatured alcohol to test color, followed by Danish oil or polyurethane to highlight the contrast between heartwood and sapwood.
Identification Confidence
High; the bark texture, the specific ratio of sapwood to heartwood, and the circular pith are characteristic of a young Black Walnut limb/trunk.