American Walnut (Black Walnut)
Juglans nigra · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern and Midwestern United States, southern Canada
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Very Durable (Heartwood is highly resistant to rot and decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack)
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly wavy grain with a diffuse-porous to semi-ring-porous structure; flat-sawn displaying soft cathedral patterns and slight mineral/pith streaks
Color & Appearance
Heartwood ranges from light pale brown to dark chocolate brown with purplish undertones; sapwood is pale yellowish-white (visible near edges and heartwood transitions)
Hardness (Janka)
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Very Durable (Heartwood is highly resistant to rot and decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack)
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $10.00 to $16.00 per board foot (varies depending on thickness, width, and clear grade)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern lumber sample (roughly 1 to 5 years since harvesting and drying), freshly planed/sanded surface showing light oxidation
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES Appendices or IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and sustainably harvested in North America
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, veneer, flooring, and decorative woodworking
Geographic Origin
Eastern and Midwestern United States, southern Canada
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes exceptionally well, though interlocked grain can occasionally cause minor tearout when planing
Finish Recommendations
Responds beautifully to clear oil finishes (tung oil, Danish oil, boiled linseed oil) to enhance depth; clear coat sealers, polyurethane, or shellac preserve natural tones without over-darkening
Notable Features
Mild, pleasant faint aroma when worked; contains juglone; prized for high dimensional stability, rich color depth, and smooth texture
