Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with cathedral patterns visible; shows occasional knots and small checks; texture is medium and uniform.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light grayish brown to dark chocolate brown. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. This sample shows significant sapwood and transition zones. Color tends to lighten and become more golden-brown with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; heartwood is very resistant to decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned items, and small specialty wood objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot depending on grade and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern/Fresh-cut; the lack of deep oxidation and the clean surface suggest this is relatively young stock or recently milled timber.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC options available.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools. It planes well, glues, stains, and finishes excellently. It can occasionally have surfaced tear-out if the grain is irregular near knots.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy odor when being worked. Known for excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Responds exceptionally well to oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) to enhance depth, as well as polyurethane or lacquer for protection. Sapwood may require tinting/dyeing if a uniform dark look is desired.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the color transition from cream sapwood to the characteristic grayish-brown heartwood, combined with the grain structure and knot appearance, is highly indicative of Juglans nigra.