Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight grain with occasional wavy and irregular patterns. The sample shown features a flat-sawn cathedral pattern with visible porous texture and a small knot on the right side.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is a pale yellow-gray to nearly white. The wood develops a rich patina over time and lightens slightly with age and exposure to UV.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay and moderately resistant to insect attack, though sapwood is susceptible to powder post beetles.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Eastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $15.00 per board foot for select grade raw lumber.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears modern and kiln-dried, likely harvested within the last 5-10 years based on the lack of deep oxidation or graying.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes smoothly, glues well, and takes stains and finishes exceptionally. It possesses good dimensional stability.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, nut-like scent when being worked. Known for its excellent shock resistance and strength-to-weight ratio. Dust may cause sensitization or mild irritation in some individuals.
Finish Recommendations
Takes all finishes well. Danish oil or linseed oil beautifully highlights the grain and chatoyance, while a polyurethane or lacquer topcoat provides durability for furniture.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown color, distinct semi-ring-porous structure, and specific grain figure are hallmark traits of North American Black Walnut.