Wood Information
Pen #72, Walnut, Harding Pens
Black Walnut, Juglans nigra, Family: Juglandaceae

The walnut/butternut group (Juglans spp.) contains 15 species which grow in South
America, Eurasia and North America. The word juglans is the classic Latin name of
walnut, meaning nut of Jupiter.
Common Names: American walnut, American black walnut, black walnut, burbank
walnut, eastern black walnut, eastern walnut, gunwood, Virginia walnut.
Distribution: Black walnut is native to the eastern United States, from southern
Minnesota east to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York; south to South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida, Alabama; west to Texas; and north through Oklahoma, Kansas,
Nebraska, and South Dakota. Also found in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Found
often in mixed forests where the soil is moist and well drained.
The Tree: Black walnut trees reach heights of 120 ft (37 m), with a diameter of over 3
ft (1 m).
The Wood: The sapwood of black walnut is nearly white, while the heartwood is light
brown to dark, chocolate brown, often with a purplish cast and darker streaks. The
wood is heavy, hard, and stiff and has high shock resistance.
Working Properties: Black walnut is straight grained and easily worked with hand
tools and by machine. It finishes beautifully and holds paint and stain exceptionally
well. It also glues and polishes well.
Durability: Rated as very resistant to heartwood decay–one of the most durable
woods, even under conditions favorable to decay.
Uses: Furniture, fixtures, cabinets, gunstocks, novelties, interior paneling, veneer.
Pen #74 - Black Walnut Regency Fountain Pen
Pen #74 - Cap Open
Harding Pens and Woodturnings
Wood Information