Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Midwestern North America
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
- Durability
- Durable to Very Durable regarding heartwood decay resistance, though susceptible to insect attack if left untreated; sapwood is not durable.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly wavy grain pattern with subtle figure, displaying flat-sawn cathedral patterns along the live-edge slab face, as well as light curl and natural growth ring density variations.
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from golden light brown to medium chocolate brown with amber and warm reddish undertones. The outer edges clearly display lighter cream-to-pale-tan sapwood along the live edges.
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable to Very Durable regarding heartwood decay resistance, though susceptible to insect attack if left untreated; sapwood is not durable.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $12.00 - $25.00+ per board foot depending on slab width, thickness, moisture content, and figure quality.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Freshly milled to recently harvested live-edge slab (tree aged roughly 60–90 years based on slab width and growth ring count), with rough chainsaw or bandsaw mill markings on the surface.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available across North America from managed domestic forests and urban tree salvage.
Common Uses
Live-edge river tables, dining tables, countertops, custom furniture, cabinetry, turned objects, gunstocks, and high-end architectural millwork.
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Midwestern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and power tools. Glues, stains, and finishes exceptionally well. Care is required when planing near knots or grain shifts to avoid tearout.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating hardwax oils (e.g., Rubio Monocoat, Odie's Oil), wiping varnish, or polyurethane to accentuate natural chatoyance and grain clarity while protecting the surface.
Notable Features
Faint, pleasant walnut aroma when cut. Naturally high dimensional stability once kiln-dried. Distinctive contrast between dark heartwood and light sapwood edge.
