Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Principally straight but commonly includes irregular or wavy patterns as seen near the knots; features cathedral figure and medium-coarse texture with semi-ring-porous growth rings.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is a distinct pale yellowish-gray or nearly white. It typically lightens to a more golden or yellowish brown over time with light exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, interior paneling, gunstocks, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Approximately $12.00 to $18.00 per board foot for 4/4 thickness, depending on grade and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively fresh milled stock (less than 1-2 years since surfacing), based on the sharp contrast between sapwood and heartwood and lack of deep oxidation or graying.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally managed sustainably in North America.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Planes and glues well; takes stains and finishes extremely well, though it is usually left natural due to its color.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, faint scent when being worked; relatively high luster; develops a rich patina over many years; known for its dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Penetrating oils or drying oils (Denmark Oil, Tung Oil) to enhance natural figure; clear lacquer or polyurethane for protection. No pre-stain required.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinct transition between the pale sapwood and coffee-colored heartwood, combined with the specific cathedral grain and knot structure, is characteristic of North American Black Walnut.