Walnut

black-walnut

Walnut: (Juglans nigra) Ratings 1 to 5 (best):

Walnut: (Juglans nigra) Ratings 1 to 5 (best):

Available Sizes:

4/4 through 8/4 F1F & Btr

4/4 10" & Wider F1F & Btr 

  • Machining

    4

  • Nailing

    5

  • Screwing

    4

  • Gluing

    4

  • Finishing

    5

Distribution

Throughout Eastern U. S., but principal commercial region is the Central States. One of the few American species planted as well as naturally regenerated.

General Description

The sapwood of walnut is creamy white, while the heartwood is light brown to dark chocolate brown, occasionally with a purplish cast and darker streaks. Walnut is usually supplied steamed, to darken sapwood. The wood is generally straight-grained, but sometimes with wavy or curly grain that produces an attractive and decorative figure.

Availability

Reasonable availability with regional limitations.

Working Properties

Walnut works easily with hand and machine tools, and nails, screws and glues well. It holds paint and stain very well for an exceptional finish. It dries slowly, and care is needed to avoid kiln degrade. Walnut has good dimensional stability.

Physical Properties

Walnut is a tough hardwood of medium density, with moderate bending and crushing strengths and low stiffness. It has a good steam-bending classification.

Main Uses

Furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork, doors, flooring, paneling, and gun stocks. A favored wood for using in contrast with lighter-colored species.