Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight grain with visible cathedral patterns; shows some irregular wavy fibers and broad, open pores characteristic of flat-sawn walnut slabs.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a creamy medium brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. The narrow sapwood edge is a pale yellowish-gray. It will likely lighten slightly and take on a more honey-golden hue over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, interior paneling, gunstocks, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $20.00 per board foot for live-edge kiln-dried slabs; lower for green/rough-sawn.
Wood Age Estimate
Late-stage seasoning; rough-sawn surface suggests the slab was cut within the last 1-3 years and has begun to oxidize and dry.
Sustainability Status
Not CITES listed and rated as Least Concern by the IUCN; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It glues, stains, and finishes very well, though the open grain may require filling for a glass-smooth finish.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked. Known for excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance. Fine texture with natural luster.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils (like Linseed or Tung oil) or clear polyurethane to enhance the natural dark color and chatoyance without obscuring the grain.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown heartwood color contrasted with pale sapwood and the specific open-grain structure are definitive of Juglans nigra.