Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Durable, with very good resistance to rot and decay, though susceptible to insect attack in the sapwood.
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Grain Pattern
Generally straight to slightly irregular or wavy grain with a medium texture and prominent cathedral pattern on the flat-sawn face visible in the sample.
Color & Appearance
Rich dark brown to purplish-brown heartwood with contrasting pale yellowish-gray to whitish sapwood clearly visible on the end grain edge; color tends to lighten slightly to a warm golden-brown patina with age and light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable, with very good resistance to rot and decay, though susceptible to insect attack in the sapwood.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 to $12.00+ per board foot depending on grade, width, and thickness.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled kiln-dried lumber, estimated less than 1 to 3 years since harvest based on clean surfaces and absence of heavy oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices, IUCN Least Concern. Readily available from managed forests in North America.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, architectural millwork, gunstocks, interior paneling, and turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Exceptional workability; machines, glues, and finishes very well, though occasional tear-out can occur on figured or irregular grain.
Finish Recommendations
Takes oil finishes, Danish oil, varnish, lacquer, and polyurethane exceptionally well, enhancing the rich chatoyance of the dark heartwood.
Notable Features
Possesses a pleasant, mild characteristic scent when worked; stable once dried with good shock resistance.
