Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America, widespread across the central and eastern United States and southern Canada.
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
- Durability
- Very Durable regarding heartwood decay resistance; moderately resistant to insect attack, though sapwood is susceptible to powder post beetles.
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Grain Pattern
Flat-sawn (plain-sawn) creating a prominent cathedral grain figure in the heartwood center, with generally straight to slightly wavy grain flow throughout.
Color & Appearance
Features a distinct contrast between the dark chocolate-brown to purplish-grey heartwood in the center and a wide band of creamy yellowish-white sapwood along the outer edges. Over time, heartwood lightens slightly to an amber-brown, while sapwood darkens slightly.
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable regarding heartwood decay resistance; moderately resistant to insect attack, though sapwood is susceptible to powder post beetles.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $10.00 to $16.00 per board foot depending on thickness, width, grade, and sapwood content.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently surfaced dimensional lumber (under 5 years old), showing clean mill cuts and raw, unoxidized surfaces.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed in CITES appendices or IUCN Red List of threatened species; widely available from sustainably managed forests, though wild populations face pressure from Thousand Cankers Disease.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, architectural millwork, flooring, veneer, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America, widespread across the central and eastern United States and southern Canada.
Workability
Exceptionally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Planes smoothly, glues excellently, holds screws well, and sands to a fine polish, though steam bending is moderate.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes exceptionally well. Penetrable oils (tung oil, Danish oil) bring out the depth and figure; clear lacquer or polyurethane recommended for maximum protection and durability.
Notable Features
Distinct mild, rich wood aroma when worked; dust can cause respiratory irritation or allergic skin reactions in sensitive individuals; sapwood-to-heartwood contrast is highly characteristic.
