Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular. This sample shows flat-sawn cathedral patterns with some subtle wavy figure and interlocking grains in darker regions.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light pale brown to dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. It tends to lighten over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Eastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Ranges from $10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut to 1 year; the visible rough-cut texture and lack of deep oxidation/graying suggest it has not been exposed to weather for long.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and considered sustainable.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools. It planes well, glues, stains, and finishes excellently. It has a moderate blunting effect on cutters.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked. Known for its excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance. Can cause irritation to some woodworkers (sensitizer).
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung oil, boiled linseed oil) beautifully enhance the dark tones and chatoyance. Lacquer and polyurethane also work well to provide protection.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown heartwood color transition to creamy sapwood, combined with the porous grain structure and rough-milled appearance, is classic for Juglans nigra.