Considered the elite of the American hardwoods, Walnut is the favourite of the darker woods. Walnut grows in widely scattered stands throughout the eastern half of the United States, primarily in the Midwest. The species is generally coarse textured and produces distinctive grain patterns. Walnut is prized for high-end furniture, architectural interiors, cabinets, doors, flooring and paneling. A favored use in contrast with lighter species, walnut is always distinctive. Walnut manufactures and stains well and can be polished to an exceptional finish.

Other Common Names: Juglans Nigra, Black walnut, American walnut

Sourcing Region: United States

Color, Pattern, Texture: 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, which darkens the sapwood, but a very unique look can also be achieved by leaving it natural. The wood is generally straight grained, but sometimes with wavy or curly grain that produces an attractive and decorative figure. The dark heartwood will lighten in colour as it ages overtime with exposure to UV light.

Common Uses and Applications: Recommended for fine furniture, interiors, and gunstocks; Furniture, contrast inlays, architectural millwork and moulding, kitchen Cabinets, paneling, flooring, high-class Joinery, carving, musical Instruments

Working Properties: Walnut works easily with hand and machine tools, and nails, screws and glues well. It holds paints and stains very well and can be polished to an exceptional finish. It performs best when dried slowly, reducing the opportunity for degrade. Walnut has good dimensional stability.