Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular; featured here with a cathedral-like flat-sawn appearance showing distinct dark growth lines
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with even darker brown streaks. Color tends to lighten over time towards a yellowish-brown if not protected from UV exposure.
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 paneling, veneer, turned items, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on width, thickness, and figure grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Cannot be precisely determined from photo, but surface oxidation suggests the piece is at least 10-20 years old.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally managed sustainably.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes smoothly, glues well, and takes finishes easily, though it can occasionally produce tearout on figured pieces.
Notable Features
Faint, mild odor when being worked. Known for its rich color and exceptional dimensional stability after seasoning.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung oil or linseed oil) enhance the deep color; polyurethane or lacquer provide durability for heavy-use surfaces.
Identification Confidence
Medium; the dark coloring and characteristic grain cathedral are highly indicative of Black Walnut, though the image blur makes it difficult to exclude very dark-stained White Oak or Ash completely.