Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular with some cathedral figure; medium texture with semi-ring-porous structure and moderate luster.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light greyish brown to dark chocolate brown. Sapwood is distinctively pale yellowish-white. It tends to lighten or develop a golden hue with age.
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, flooring, and wood turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on width and figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to recently dried; shows minimal oxidation and retains distinct contrast between sapwood and heartwood.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally managed sustainably.
Workability
Excellent workability with hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can occasionally have irregular grain that causes tearout.
Notable Features
Distinctive mildly spicy scent when being worked; contains juglone which can be a mild irritant; excellent dimensional stability once dried.
Finish Recommendations
Responds beautifully to oils (tung or linseed) and waxes to enhance depth; clear polyurethanes or lacquers are recommended to protect the color contrast.
Identification Confidence
High; based on the characteristic chocolate brown heartwood, creamy sapwood transition, and specific pore distribution visible on the face grain.