Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular; featured here with a flat-sawn cathedral pattern and open pores
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to white. Tends to lighten over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay and rot, though susceptible to insect attack (sapwood).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, flooring, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot (varies by figured grade)
Wood Age Estimate
Modern (Less than 20 years); shows minor wear but preserves a relatively fresh oiled/varnished luster.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally sustainable.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It glues, stains, and finishes very well, though surfacing figured grain can cause tearout.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, mild nutty scent when being worked. Known for its rich color and excellent dimensional stability once dried.
Finish Recommendations
Responds best to oil-based finishes (tung oil or linseed oil) to enhance depth, or a high-quality clear lacquer/polyurethane for protection.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown color, pore structure, and cathedral grain pattern are classic diagnostic features of North American Black Walnut.