Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Highly figured with wavy, curly, and crotch-like grain patterns. Shows significant chatoyancy and irregular fibers associated with figured logs.
Color Description
Medium to dark brown heartwood with some lighter tan streaks. Sapwood is typically pale yellowish-grey. Exhibits high luster and develops a characteristic golden-brown patina over time.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; heartwood is highly resistant to rot and decay, though susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, musical instruments, and turned interior objects.
Geographic Origin
Native to Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $25.00 per board foot for highly figured or curly grades.
Wood Age Estimate
Vintage (20-40 years) based on the depth of the oxidation and the richness of the brown hues, though the surface appears freshly finished.
Sustainability Status
Abundant; Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though figured grain can cause tear-out during planing. Gluing and finishing are excellent.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, spicy scent when being worked; high tannin content; known for its stability and steam-bending properties.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung oil or linseed oil) to enhance chatoyancy, or high-quality lacquer/polyurethane for protection.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of chocolate brown color, diffuse-porous grain structure, and specific curly figure is diagnostic of North American Black Walnut.