Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a medium-coarse texture; exhibits some cathedral figure and faint wavy interlocking in the shown board.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from medium to dark chocolate brown with visible darker streaks; sapwood is creamy white and sharply demarcated. With age and light exposure, the wood tends to lighten toward a more golden-brown color.
Hardness Rating
1010 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, flooring, gunstocks, veneer, interior trim, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Native to Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on width and grade (FAS).
Wood Age Estimate
Recently milled raw lumber, likely air or kiln dried within the last 1-2 years based on surface oxidation and processing dust.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable.
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools; planes and glues well; takes stains and finishes exceptionally well; may occasionally exhibit fuzzy grain if tools are not sharp.
Notable Features
Distinctive mild, spicy scent when worked; contains juglone which can be an allergen; noted for excellent dimensional stability and shock resistance.
Finish Recommendations
Pure oils (tung or linseed) and waxes are recommended to highlight depth; many woodworkers prefer a simple polyurethane or lacquer to preserve the dark tones.
Identification Confidence
High; the characteristic chocolate-brown heartwood versus the pale sapwood edge, combined with the ring-porous grain structure and texture, is classic for Juglans nigra.