Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy. This sample shows a curved grain consistent with a bowl blank turned from the face of a log, displaying cathedral-like patterns and some wavy figure near transition zones.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is a pale yellow-gray to nearly white. This sample shows a dramatic contrast between the creamy sapwood and the coffee-colored heartwood.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and turned objects such as bowls.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $15.00 per board foot for high-quality lumber; bowl blanks often retail for $20.00 to $40.00 depending on size.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly turned green or kiln-dried stock. The bright contrast between sapwood and heartwood and the visible tool marks suggest it is a contemporary piece recently worked (less than 1 year since being cut).
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Generally considered sustainable and widely available.
Workability
Commonly cited as one of the best woods to work with. It planes and glues well, though grain can be prone to tearout during turning if tools are not sharp (as seen in the rough interior surface of this bowl).
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked. Known for its excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Takes finishes very well. Pure oils (Tung or Linseed) enhance the chatoyancy and depth of the dark heartwood. For bowls, food-grade mineral oil or beeswax is recommended.
Identification Confidence
High. The stark contrast between the chocolate-brown heartwood and creamy sapwood, coupled with the open-pore texture and grain structure, is classic for Juglans nigra.