Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to wavy grain with a medium texture; displays characteristic cathedral patterns on flat-sawn surfaces and some visible pore structure.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light pale brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is a distinct creamy white to pale yellow. It develops a lustrous patina and lightens slightly with UV exposure over time.
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 Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
12.00 to 20.00 USD per board foot depending on width, figure, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to recently dried; the sharp contrast between heartwood and sapwood suggests modern lumber rather than antique reclaimed material.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes very well, though it can occasionally exhibit tearout during planing if grain is wavy.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, nut-like scent when being worked; contains juglone which may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals; prized for its dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils (like Danish or Tung oil) to enhance natural figure, or clear polyurethane/lacquer to preserve the deep brown tones.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown heartwood paired with the creamy sapwood and specific pore arrangement is diagnostic of Juglans nigra.