Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Highly irregular and figured; specifically displaying a crotch figure with significant swirling, compression grain, and a central burl-like inclusion where the branch joinery occurred.
Color Description
Heartwood is a deep chocolate brown with dark streaks and purplish hues; sapwood is pale creamy white. This sample shows extreme contrast and dark oxidation/decay staining in the crotch area.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; very resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, gunstocks, veneer, cabinetry, turned objects, and specialty craft items using crotch figure.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $15.00 per board foot for standard lumber; highly figured crotch pieces can exceed $40.00 per board foot.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly split green wood; the bark is intact and the inner wood lacks significant UV patina, likely from a tree 30-50 years old.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed, though high-quality large burls are becoming rarer.
Workability
Excellent with both hand and machine tools; however, figured sections like this crotch grain are prone to tearout and require very sharp blades and light passes.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild spicy scent when cut; contains juglone which can be an allergen; noted for excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) or clear polyurethane are recommended to highlight the chatoyance and depth of the figured grain.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the dark heartwood, creamy sapwood, smooth grey-brown bark, and the specific 'feather' pattern of the crotch figure is diagnostic of Black Walnut.