Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight, but can be irregular. The sample shows a classic flat-sawn cathedral pattern with some wavy grain and open-pore texture.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a golden-brown to deep chocolate brown. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white. This sample displays a typical grayish-brown hue often seen in air-dried or oxidized walnut, with subtle chatoyancy in the grain.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though susceptible to insect attack (especially sapwood).
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 thickness and width grade.
Wood Age Estimate
The sample appears to be 10–20 years old based on the oxidation of the fibers and the presence of older-style mechanical fasteners and threaded inserts.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally managed sustainably in North America.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes, glues, and finishes exceptionally well, though the dust can be an irritant (juglone content).
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked. Contains juglone, which can be toxic to some plants and horses. Known for its excellent dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for penetrating oils (Linseed or Tung) or polyurethane to enhance depth. Use of a sanding sealer is recommended due to its semi-porous nature.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the diffuse-porous grain structure, the specific chocolate-brown color variations, and the cathedral grain pattern are hallmark indicators of Juglans nigra.