Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with occasional wavy or curly tendencies; moderate texture with a natural luster. The sample shows a flat-sawn appearance with subtle cathedral peaks and minimal figure.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with even darker streaks. Sapwood is typically pale yellow-gray to nearly white. This sample shows the characteristic deep brown heartwood developed through aging or steaming, with a medium luster.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; rated as very resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $18.00 per board foot for select grade lumber.
Wood Age Estimate
10-20 years; based on the developed patina, surface oxidation, and wear patterns visible in the finish.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; generally considered sustainable and widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, turns, and sands well. It glues, stains, and finishes excellently, though it has a faint, characteristic odor when being worked.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild spicy scent when worked. Known for its excellent dimensional stability and strength-to-weight ratio. Often steamed to darken sapwood to match heartwood.
Finish Recommendations
Responsive to all types of finishes; penetrating oils (tung or linseed) enhance the natural depth and chatoyance, while polyurethane or lacquer provide durability for furniture surfaces.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; identifying features include the characteristic semi-ring-porous structure visible in the grain, the specific chocolate-brown color palette, and the diffuse-porous texture typical of Juglans species.