Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight with some slight waving and irregular cathedral patterns; visible medium-sized semi-ring-porous texture with characteristic dark streaks.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light coffee to dark chocolate brown with occasional purplish or reddish streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Over time, it tends to lighten slightly to a more golden brown.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southern Canada
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on thickness, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber; likely kiln-dried and harvested within the last 5-10 years based on the crisp surface texture and lack of deep oxidation or historic patina.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in North America.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes very well. Can occasionally produce tearout on figured sections during planing.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild spicy scent when being worked; contains juglone, which can be an irritant to some. Known for its exceptional dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or wiping varnishes specifically to enhance natural depth and chatoyance; polyurethane or lacquer for high-use surfaces.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of chocolate-brown heartwood, distinct grain porosity, and the specific 'wild' grain swirl around small knots are hallmark indicators of Juglans nigra.