High — The deep brown color, distinct cream/yellowish sapwood border at the live edge, open diffuse-to-semi-ring-porous wood texture, and characteristic drying check are typical features of rough-sawn Black Walnut (Juglans nigra). confidence

Black Walnut

Juglans nigra · Hardwood

Type: Hardwood
Origin: Eastern and Midwestern United States, widely grown across Eastern North America.
Hardness: 1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability: Very Durable with respect to decay resistance, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.

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Grain Pattern

Mostly straight to slightly irregular grain with a medium texture; rough-sawn surface shows fine pores, a natural live edge, and a typical drying check (crack) running longitudinally on the left.

Color & Appearance

Heartwood ranges from rich chocolate brown to grayish-brown with darker streaks. Pale yellowish-white sapwood is clearly visible along the live edge on the right.

Hardness (Janka)

1,010 lbf (Medium)

Durability & Decay Resistance

Very Durable with respect to decay resistance, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.

Value & Sustainability

Estimated Market Value: $10.00 - $18.00 per board foot for raw live-edge lumber, depending on width, figure, and location.
Wood Age Estimate: Rough-sawn lumber, likely harvested and air- or kiln-dried within the past 1 to 5 years; shows raw mill surface texture without finish or substantial age-related patina.
Sustainability Status: IUCN Red List status: Least Concern. Abundant in North America, readily available from sustainably managed forests and domestic suppliers; not CITES listed.

Common Uses

Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, veneer, live-edge slabs, turning, and specialty woodenware.

Geographic Origin

Eastern and Midwestern United States, widely grown across Eastern North America.

Workability

Generally very good to work with both hand and machine tools. Planes, sands, turns, and glues exceptionally well. Slight tearout can occur around irregular grain.

Finish Recommendations

Accepts a wide variety of finishes beautifully. Penetrating oil finishes (tung oil, Danish oil, hardwax oil) highlight depth and grain contrast; clear polyurethane, lacquer, or shellac protect well without discoloring the wood.