Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Commonly straight, though often seen with cathedral patterns in flat-sawn cabinet panels; visible medium-textured pores and moderate luster.
Color Description
Rich chocolate brown heartwood with hints of purple or gray; sapwood is typically creamy white but often stained to match heartwood in cabinetry. Darkens significantly with UV exposure and oil finishes.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to rot and decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, interior trim, gunstocks, veneer, flooring, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Central and Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $18.00 per board foot for 4/4 select grade lumber.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern manufacture (5-20 years), based on the clean machine-profiled edges and contemporary hardware visible on the cabinet assembly.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can occasionally exhibit tearout on highly figured sections.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, spicy scent when worked; contains juglone which can be a mild irritant; famous for its unique dark natural coloring among North American hardwoods.
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane or lacquer for cabinetry durability; oil-based finishes are preferred to bring out the depth and warmth of the grain.
Identification Confidence
Medium-High; the deep brown color, pore structure, and application in a raised-panel cabinet door are highly characteristic of North American Black Walnut.