Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy. This sample shows a flat-sawn cathedral pattern with a small knot and some mild swirling figure around it.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. The sample shows typical medium brown tones with visible oxidation.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on width and grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly surfaced to partially aged (6 months to 2 years) based on the warm brown oxidation and lack of deep graying/weathering.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes well. Occasional tearout can occur near knots or in figured sections.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, spicy scent when being worked; known for its excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Responds exceptionally well to oil-based finishes (tung oil, Danish oil) which enhance the depth and luster of the grain. Polyurethane or lacquer are preferred for high-wear surfaces.
Identification Confidence
High; the specific chocolate-brown color, pore structure, and characteristic grain swirl around the knot are diagnostic of North American Black Walnut.