Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy. Visible as cathedral patterns in flat-sawn sections with distinct ring porous characteristics in cross-sections.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from light brown to dark chocolate brown with darker streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Color tends to lighten over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable regarding decay resistance, though susceptible to insect attack (lyctid powderpost beetles).
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, veneer, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (Central and Eastern United States).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Ranges from $12.00 to $20.00 per board foot depending on width, grade, and local availability.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly felled log; heartwood/sapwood ratio suggests a mature tree likely between 40 to 60 years old.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in its native range.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. Glues, stains, and finishes well, though it can occasionally have irregular grain that causes tearout.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked. Contains juglone, which can be an irritant. Highly prized for its unique dark natural pigment.
Finish Recommendations
Best finished with oils (tung or linseed) to enhance depth, or clear polyurethane/lacquer to preserve color. Requires a sealer if sapwood is to be matched.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of dark chocolate heartwood, thin light sapwood, and deeply furrowed, diamond-patterned bark is characteristic of Juglans nigra.