Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or interlocked. Features a medium texture with moderate natural luster. Common figures include crotch, burl, and curly grain.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is nearly white to yellowish-gray. Color tends to lighten and become more golden-brown over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to decay and moderately resistant to insect attack, though sapwood is susceptible.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Southern Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $20.00 per board foot depending on figure and width for kiln-dried lumber.
Wood Age Estimate
Estimated as a 1-2 year old sapling (not harvestable wood) based on the current live plant growth stage visible.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List; widely available and sustainable, though it is not typically FSC certified due to private land harvesting.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes smoothly and glues, stains, and finishes well. Occasional tearout can occur with figured grain.
Notable Features
Features a distinct, pleasant, mild scent when being worked. Known for its moderate weight and excellent dimensional stability once dried. Contains juglone, which is toxic to some plants.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) are highly recommended to enhance deep chocolate tones; also takes lacquer, shellac, and polyurethane exceptionally well.
Identification Confidence
High. The specimen is identified as a Black Walnut sapling based on its pinnately compound leaves, serrated margins, terminal leaflets, and the characteristic reddish-green petioles.