Durability:

Workability:

Price Rating:

Material Grade:
FAS/FAS1F

Weight:
640 kg/m3

Typical Tree Height:
21-27m

Trunk Diameter:
0.6-1.2m

Length Ranges:
1.8-4.5m

Width Ranges:
100-300mm

American Black Walnut

The heartwood of American Walnut can be light greyish-brown, dark brown or purplish-black. The sapwood can be almost white to a yellow, creamy-brown. The slightly open grain is typically straight, but can be curly or wavy. The texture is usually coarse, but develops a lustrous patina in time. Burrs (burls), stump wood and crotches produce notable mottled, curly and wavy figure.

Walnut can be extremely knotty - especially with wider boards (widths exceeding 120mm). All timber varies in appearance from piece to piece but with Walnut the variance can be significant even with wood from the same batch or even board. This is part of its character and adds to the natural beauty of the wood and is often why it is chosen. There can be a need to fill the knots with a dark or ebony filler

At Wooduchoose we offer American Black Walnut, or Walnut for most of our products. We recommend as; Walnut skirting board, Walnut architrave, Walnut cover fillets, Walnut mouldings. There are however many other products that this wood can be used for.

Further reading on Black Walnut (American) timber: If you would like to read a full profile specification on Black Walnut (American) timber, please visit our sister site, Any One wood, The online wood reference database. https://www.anyonewood.com/black-walnut-american/

Material Type:
Hardwood

Also Called:
Eastern Black Walnut, Walnut, Gunwood, Virginia Walnut

Durability Notes:
Black Walnut is non-durable, and vulnerable to decay-causing fungi and insects. The sapwood is susceptible to the common furniture beetle, but it does accept preservative treatment although the heartwood is challenging to treat.

Seasoning:
The drying and seasoning of Black Walnut (American) is dependant on a number of factors; the speed in which it is processed after felling and logging, the method of drying and the specific kilns or location (if air dried). Generally the care taken by those processing the wood will have an impact on its drying and seasoning. As an overview; Black Walnut (American) - The wood dries slowly and care must be taken to avoid impact on the grade and quality of the wood. This can include checking, iron staining, ring failure, honeycombing and collapse. There is small movement in use. Please note that all wood is liable to move when in service plus there can be dimensional change. The extent of this will depend on; the stability of the species itself, the conditions it is exposed to, the coating, decoration and protection. You will find more information about the suitability of this wood, for any proposed application, by using our interactive system and the filters shown.

Properties:
Walnut is hard, tough wood has tolerable crushing and bending strength, low stiffness and steam-bens well. It works well with machine and hand tools, with a tolerable blunting affect. It generally planes well but its irregular grain can hamper this. It turns, carves, mortices, nails, screws, sands and paints well. It stains, oils and polishes to a high finish.

Typical Uses:
A prized cabinetmaking wood, it is also the chosen wood in the US for gunstocks and rifle butts. It is also used for quality furniture, kitchen cabinets, sporting goods and umbrella handles. It is sliced for decorative veneers and is an important wood for making plywood. The tree also produces edible nuts.

Spiritual Properties:
Cleansing, healing, spirituality, focus, insight and protection - The walnut tree and its wood help us with our mental gifts. Even the walnuts themselves resemble little brains! Intelligence, wisdom and inspiration all come under its realm.

Moisture Content:
8-12% KD

Possible Health Risks:
Irritation to eyes and skin.

Wood Worker's Thoughts:
Finishes exceptionally well and is very attractive, good grain integrity.

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