Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular with a medium texture; predominantly flat-sawn with subtle cathedral peaks and visible vessel pores characteristic of a semi-ring-porous wood.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light to dark chocolate brown; sapwood is distinctively creamy white to pale yellowish-grey. Heartwood develops a lustrous patina over time and lightens slightly toward honey-brown with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack (evidenced by small pinholes in the sapwood region of the image).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, luxury flooring, gunstocks, veneer, musical instruments, and decorative turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to recently seasoned (less than 1 year since surfacing) based on the bright contrast between sapwood and heartwood and lack of deep oxidation or mechanical wear.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification often available.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; planes and sands easily. It glues, stains, and finishes exceptionally well, though it emits a distinct, somewhat spicy odor when worked.
Notable Features
Features a distinct, pleasant scent; contains juglone which can be a mild allergen to some. Known for its exceptional dimensional stability and high strength-to-weight ratio.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung oil or linseed oil) or polyurethane are recommended to enhance the deep grain contrast. Clear coat is preferred to preserve the natural contrast between the white sapwood and dark heartwood.
Identification Confidence
High; the sharp demarcation between the deep chocolate heartwood and creamy sapwood, coupled with the specific semi-ring-porous pore structure and visible pinholes in the sapwood, is iconic for Juglans nigra.