Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight to irregular with visible open pores and some cathedral figure toward the edges; texture is medium and oily-looking.
Color Description
Heartwood is medium to dark brown with chocolate-colored streaks and a hint of purple/grey; sapwood is much lighter cream-colored. Darkens and yellows slightly with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, and musical instruments.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Southern Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on figure and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut or recently milled (less than 1 year) based on the sharpness of the edges and lack of oxidation patina.
Sustainability Status
Extant and widely available; not listed by CITES or the IUCN Red List; FSC certification widely available.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools; glues, stains, and finishes well; can experience some tearout in irregular grain.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, sweet odor when being worked; high tannin content; known for its exceptional dimensional stability.
Finish Recommendations
Tung oil or Danish oil to highlight depth; polyurethane for high-traffic surfaces; shellac works well as a sealer.
Identification Confidence
High; the chocolate-brown coloration combined with the open-pore structure and characteristic grain density are diagnostic for Black Walnut.