Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with occasional wavy or curly figure; texture is medium and the grain is typically open-pored.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Wood darkens and gains a rich patina over time, though it can lighten slightly if exposed to intense UV rays.
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 paneling, veneer, turned objects, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Ranges from $10.00 to $18.00 per board foot for dimensional lumber, higher for figured or wide slabs.
Wood Age Estimate
The standing tree/log shows mature, deeply furrowed bark typical of a specimen 40-70 years old; as a raw log, it appears recently felled or weathered naturally for 1-2 seasons.
Sustainability Status
Not CITES listed and classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes exceptionally well, though the dust can be a mild sensitizer.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked. Contains juglone, which can be toxic to certain plants and horses. Known for its exceptional dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for clear finishes like tung oil, linseed oil, or polyurethane to showcase natural color. Responds well to steaming to darken sapwood to match heartwood.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; identifying from bark alone is challenging, but the deep, diamond-shaped furrows, chocolate brown inner bark visible in damaged areas, and grayish surface are classic indicators of Juglans nigra.