Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, but often features irregular, wavy, or interlocked grain that produces high-end figure including crotch and burl; cathedral patterns are common in flat-sawn boards.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is a pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Wood tends to lighten and take on gold/orange undertones with age and UV exposure.
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 specialty wooden items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 to $15.00 per board foot depending on thickness and figuring.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut log (Estimated 15-25 years growth for this section based on diameter and bark thickness); minimal oxidation present on the visible bark.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though figured grain can cause tearout during surfacing. It glues, stains, and finishes exceptionally well.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, sweet, and nutty scent when worked. Contains juglone, which can be an irritant to some woodworkers and is toxic to some plants.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils (like Danish or Tung oil) are highly recommended to highlight natural color and depth; polyurethane or lacquer for added protection.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the deeply furrowed bark with dark inner layers and the characteristic black canker/fungal patches (possibly Hypoxylon or a similar species) on the exterior are highly consistent with Juglans nigra logs found in the wild.