Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy. Notable for cathedral patterns in flat-sawn boards and highly prized crotch figure, burls, and curly patterns in specialty cuts.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks; sometimes has a greyish, purplish, or reddish cast. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Over time, it tends to lighten slightly toward a honey-brown patina.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack (especially sapwood).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned objects, and specialty wooden items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 – $20.00 per board foot for kiln-dried 4/4 select grade lumber; higher for figured pieces.
Wood Age Estimate
Live sapling; approximately 1-2 years old based on stem diameter and pinnately compound leaf development.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes exceptionally well, though figured grain can cause some tearout.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy odor when worked. Contains juglone, which can be toxic to other plants, and the dust is a known sensitizer/irritant.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) beautifully enhance the deep color and chatoyance; polyurethane or lacquer provide excellent protection for high-wear surfaces.
Identification Confidence
High; identification is based on the pinnately compound leaf structure, serrated leaflets, reddish-tinted rachis of new growth, and terminal bud characteristic of a Juglans nigra sapling.