Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight but commonly wavy or curly; flat-sawn with characteristic cathedral patterns and some crotch figure/swirl near knots.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Grayish or reddish cast is possible. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Typically darkens with age and luster increases with finishing.
Hardness Rating
1010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Eastern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $20.00 per board foot depending on figure and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Modern processing (last 10-20 years) based on the high-gloss polyurethane finish and lack of deep oxidation or historical tool marks.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools. It planes and glues well and responds excellently to steam bending and finishing.
Notable Features
Features a distinct, faint spicy scent when being worked; contains juglone which can be an irritant; prized for its dimensional stability and rich, natural dark tones.
Finish Recommendations
High-gloss polyurethane or lacquer (as shown in image) provides protection, but hand-rubbed oils or waxes best highlight the natural depth of the grain.
Identification Confidence
High; the deep chocolate tones, specific pore structure visible in the cathedral grain, and chatoyance observed under the light source are diagnostic of Juglans nigra.