Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular. This sample shows a fairly straight, coarse grain with some visible open pores and slight cathedral movement toward the bottom.
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. This sample displays the characteristic grayish-brown tone of air-dried or weathered walnut.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack (sapwood).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot depending on width and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
The graying and rough-sawn surface suggest it has been air-drying or in storage for approximately 1-3 years.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and considered sustainable.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes cleanly, glues and finishes well, and holds nails/screws effectively. Some tearout can occur with figured grain.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, sweet odor when being worked. Known for its excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) enhance the natural dark tones and chatoyance; polyurethane or lacquer provide more protection for high-wear surfaces.
Identification Confidence
High; the open-pore structure, chocolate-brown coloration with gray undertones, and fiber texture are diagnostic of Juglans nigra.