Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight grain with some slight waviness; face grain shows a medium texture with faint cathedral patterns visible on the tangential surface
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a deep chocolate brown to purplish-black; sapwood is pale yellow-gray. The sample shows typical oxidation towards a lighter golden brown with age and light exposure
Hardness Rating
1010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; very resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned items, and musical instruments
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability
Wood Age Estimate
Modern lumber, likely air-dried or kiln-dried within the last 5-10 years based on the crispness of the edges and surface color
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and generally considered sustainable
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; planes and sands easily. It glues, stains, and finishes very well, though it can occasionally have irregular grain that causes tearout
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked; high natural luster; moderate weight and good dimensional stability
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for clear natural finishes like linseed/tung oil or polyurethane to highlight the chocolate tones; takes wax and shellac beautifully
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown hue coupled with the diffuse-porous grain structure and texture is diagnostic for Juglans nigra