Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy. This sample shows flat-sawn cathedrals and some subtle figuring near the edges.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. This sample appears as a kiln-dried piece with typical muted grayish-brown tones that deepen with oil-based finishes.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively recent/modern rough-cut lumber (likely less than 1-2 years since milling) based on the surface oxidation and machine marks.
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 and glues well and holds stain/finish excellently. Some tearout may occur on surfaces with irregular grain.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when being worked. Known for its excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for clear finishes like tung oil or polyurethane to highlight the natural grain. Often requires a wood conditioner or pore filler if a glass-smooth finish is desired due to its semi-porous nature.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the chocolate-brown heartwood transition to creamy sapwood, coupled with the specific pore structure visible in the rough grain, is characteristic of Juglans nigra.