Walnut: Domestic Hardwood
This King of American hardwoods is highly prized for its dark brown to black color. Used in all types of woodworking applications, cabinetry, and flooring. Walnut has a dark heartwood and light white sapwood. Most commercially sold Walnut is steamed to even the color between the heartwood and sapwood, but unsteamed Walnut is also available.
Walnut has a higher waste factor than most hardwoods if all black is needed, and it tends to be knottier than most hardwoods. Walnut logs often get purchased for veneer, making it difficult to get wide clear boards from lower grade logs. Walnut is also very popular for live edge slabs where the heartwood and sapwood color contrast can be displayed.
Characteristics
| Origin of Wood Type | The U.S. |
| Botanical Name | Juglans Nigra |
| Specific Gravity | .60 |
| Avg. Weight Per BF | 3.7 lbs |
| Color Range | Black to brown heartwood, white sapwood |
| Rarity / Availability | Common |
| Typical Avg. Width | 5 – 16 inches |
| Typical Avg. Length | 8 – 12 feed |
| Avg. Waste Factor | 30% or higher depending on color requirements and knot usage |
| Wood Uses | All woodworking, flooring, and cabinetry |
| Lumber Grades | FAS through 2 common rustic |
| Other Trade Names | American Black Walnut or Black Walnut |