Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular. The sample shows a mix of flat-sawn cathedral patterns with some straight grain towards the edges. Common figures include crotch, curl, and burl.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Over time, it moves towards a more amber/golden brown with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, and small specialty wood objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on width, length, and grade (FAS).
Wood Age Estimate
The board appears to be several decades old (20-40 years) based on the surface oxidation, grime accumulation, and the character of the drying checks and scratches.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Commonly considered one of the easiest woods to work with; it planes, glues, and finishes exceptionally well, though it can occasionally have tear-out in figured areas.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked; contains juglone which can be an allergen; high luster and exceptional dimensional stability after drying.
Finish Recommendations
Specifically benefits from tung oil or boiled linseed oil to pop the grain, followed by a clear topcoat like polyurethane or lacquer for protection.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown heartwood paired with the lighter sapwood edge, the diffuse-porous grain structure, and the specific way American walnut oxidizes are highly diagnostic.