Black Walnut — Identification, Uses and Properties
Juglans nigra Juglandaceae
Regarded as a premium domestic hardwood in the United States.
HARDWOOD NORTH AMERICA FURNITURE
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Juglans nigra
Family
Juglandaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
American Black Walnut (USA), Black Walnut (UK)
Origin Region
North America
Main End Uses
Furniture · Cabinetry · Gunstocks · Interior paneling · Veneer · Turned items · Novelties
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Heartwood varies from light pale brown to deep chocolate brown, often featuring darker brown streaks and hints of grey, purple, or red.
Texture
Medium
Grain
Typically straight but can be irregular.
Sapwood
Pale yellow-gray to almost white.
Notes
Wood identification: Semi-ring-porous with growth rings identifiable by pore size gradation; emits a faint, mild scent when worked; figured patterns like curl, crotch, and burl are common.
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Log Description
Tree height
100 – 120 ft
Tree height
30 – 37 m
Diameter
60-100 cm
Buoyancy
float
Log Conservation
IUCN category: Least Concern
Diameter
23.6-39.4 in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
610 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
38.1 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
4
Janka Hardness
1,200 lbf
Janka Hardness
5,338 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.46 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
7.8 %
Radial Shrinkage
5.5 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.4
Fibre Saturation Point
28 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.15 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.087 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
18.5 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
7,959 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
52.3 MPa
Crushing Strength
7,585 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
100.7 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
14,605 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
11,590 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,680,987 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Very durableDry Wood Borers
VulnerableTermites
Not resistantTreatability
Heartwood is resistant; sapwood is permeableUse Class
Class 3Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Slow
Risk Distortion
Low
Risk Checking
Moderate
Risk Collapse
Low
Suggested Schedule
T6-D4
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Moderate
Machining Tools
Standard
Suitability Peeling
Excellent
Suitability Slicing
Excellent
Notes
Generally easy to work; planer tearout may occur with irregular or figured grain.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Good
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M3
French Grading Thick Lt14mm
M4
Euroclass
D-s2, d0
Commercial Grading
NHLA Grades
FAS Selects No. 1 Common
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Unlisted
Trade Notes
This species is not included in the CITES Appendices and is classified by the IUCN as a species of least concern.
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Completeness: 9.2 / 10