Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight but can be irregular; features a medium texture. Likely to show cathedral patterns when flat-sawn and can occasionally exhibit curly or crotch figure near junctions.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Over time, it tends to lighten slightly with exposure to UV, often developing a warm honey-colored patina.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding decay resistance; susceptible to insect attack if sapwood is present.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, interior paneling, flooring, and specialty wood objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 to $15.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly felled log; the tree itself appears to be roughly 25-40 years old based on the diameter and visible growth rings on the stump.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes exceptionally well. It stores moderate amounts of dust that can be a sensitizer/irritant.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, sweet odor when cut. Heartwood contains juglone, which can be toxic to certain other plants but makes the wood naturally resistant to rot.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) exceptionally enhance the dark color and depth. Clear polyurethane or lacquer is also common for durability.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinct contrast between the dark, chocolatey heartwood and the creamy white sapwood, combined with the bark texture and Northwest/Eastern North American logging context, is characteristic of Black Walnut.