Walnut

DISTRIBUTION
Throughout Eastern U.S. Principal commercial region is the Central states.

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

WORKING PROPERTIES
It works easily with hand and machine tools, and nails, screws, and glues well. It holds paint and stain very well for an exceptional finish and is readily polished. It dries slowly, and care is needed to avoid kiln degrade. It 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.

AVAILABILITY
Reasonable availability.

MAIN USES
Furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork, doors, flooring, paneling, and gun stocks. It is a favored wood for use in contrast with lighter-colored species.