Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with visible ripple figure and some Cathedral-like flat-sawn features; coarse texture with open pores and prominent insect trails/damage.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium brown with a greyish-purple cast. Sapwood is yellowish-white. The lumber typically darkens with age and may exhibit a slight luster when surfaced.
Hardness Rating
1010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Durable; heartwood is very resistant to decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack (evidenced by the bore holes in this sample).
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, interior trim, gunstocks, veneer, flooring, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and Southern Ontario, Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Ranges from $10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on figure and width.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears moderately aged with significant oxidation and historical insect damage, likely harvested 10-30 years ago or salvaged.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES Appendices or the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well. Can occasionally exhibit tear-out during planing if grain is irregular.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild scent when being worked; contains juglone which can be an allergen; noted for excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Oil-based finishes (tung or linseed) to enhance the dark color, or clear polyurethane to protect the grain. Sealers may be needed to fill large insect voids.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown hue, diffuse-porous structure, and specific ripple figure are diagnostic of Black Walnut.