English Walnut

GENUS: JUGLANS

Found throughout Northern California, the commercial walnut industry relies on English walnut to produce the delicious walnuts we consume. Walnut wood is prized by woodworkers for its beautiful and distinctive grain.

Characteristics

Color / Appearance

Heartwood can range from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Color can sometimes have a gray, purple, or reddish cast. Sapwood is nearly white. European walnut can occasionally also be found with figured grain patterns such as curly, crotch, and burl.

Grain / Texture

Grain is usually straight, but can be irregular. Has a medium texture and moderate natural luster.

Workability

Typically easy to work provided the grain is straight and regular. Planer tearout can sometimes be a problem when surfacing pieces with irregular or figured grain. Glues, stains, and finishes well (thought walnut is rarely stained).

Common Uses

Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, interior paneling, veneer, turned items, and other small wooden objects and novelties.

Characteristics used by permission from The Wood Database