Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight but can be irregular; shows moderate cathedral figure in the center of the board with a fine, even texture and medium porosity.
Color Description
Heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is typically off-white to yellowish-gray, though not prominently seen here. Color tends to lighten/yellow over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable; highly resistant to heartwood decay, though sapwood is susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, interior trim, flooring, and small specialty wood objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Canada)
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 to $15.00 per board foot for select/better grade, depending on local availability and width.
Wood Age Estimate
Recently milled or surfaced (less than 1-2 years since machining), evidenced by the lack of significant UV graying and the presence of fresh sawdust on the surface.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; generally considered sustainable and widely available from managed forests.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. It planes well, glues, stains, and finishes exceptionally well. It can have a mild, characteristic odor while being worked.
Notable Features
Distinctive faint, spicy scent when worked. Contains juglone, which can be an irritant to some individuals. High dimensional stability once seasoned.
Finish Recommendations
Best finished with penetrating oils (like Tung or Linseed) to pop the grain, or clear polyurethane/lacquer to preserve its natural brown tones. Avoid heavy stains that mask the natural variation.
Identification Confidence
High; the chocolate brown color palette combined with the specific cathedral grain pattern and medium-pore structure is highly characteristic of North American Black Walnut.