Black Walnut
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
- Durability
- Durable, with good resistance to heartwood decay and moderate resistance to insect attack
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Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular grain with some flat-sawn features and distinctive spalted dark mineral streaks near the live edge
Color & Appearance
Rich light brown to dark chocolate brown heartwood with contrasting pale yellow-white sapwood and grayish-purple mineral staining
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Durable, with good resistance to heartwood decay and moderate resistance to insect attack
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 to $15.00+ per board foot depending on width and grade
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently harvested or freshly milled lumber slab showing typical raw surface oxidation
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant, of least concern on IUCN Red List, widely available domestically
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, architectural millwork, gunstocks, turning, and decorative veneer
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Exceptional workability with both hand and machine tools, glues, stains, and finishes well, though prone to occasional tearout on figured sections
Finish Recommendations
Takes oil, varnish, lacquer, and polyurethane exceptionally well to highlight rich chatoyancy
Notable Features
Features distinct color contrast between sapwood and heartwood, with excellent dimensional stability
