Distribution: Black
walnut is reported to be distributed in Ontario and Quebec in Canada.
Its growth range in the United States is reported to include Alabama,
Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Great Smoky Mountain
National Park, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia,
Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The tree prefers
moist, well-drained soils, particularly along streams, and is usually
found scattered in mixed forests.
General Characteristics: The mature
tree is described as rather large. It is reported to attain a height
of 70 to 90 feet (21 to 27 m), with a trunk diameter of 24 to 48
inches (60 to 120 cm). Boles are reported to be often clear of branches
to 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 m). The color of the heartwood varies
from light grayish brown to deep chocolate brown to an almost black
purplish brown. The appearance of the wood is usually described as
warm and inviting. The sapwood is described as whitish to yellowish
brown. It is a common practice to steam or stain the sapwood to match
its color with that of the heartwood. Texture is usually coarse,
but uniform; the grain is slightly open and usually straight, but
may be wavy or irregular. Pore arrangement is reported to be similar
to that in the Hickories (Carya) and Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana
), but the pores are smaller. The wood is famous for its wavy, curly
and mottled figures which are obtained from burls, crotches and stumpwood;
wood surfaces are generally dull, but the wood is reported to develop
a lustrous patina after many years in use. The wood is tasteless
but it is characterized by a mild odor when worked.
Weight: Basic specific gravity (ovendry
weight/green volume) 0.59; air-dry density 40 pcf.
Working Properties: The timber is
reported to be very easy to cut. The wood exerts a moderate blunting
effect on cutters. Material containing irregular grain may be difficult
to plane, but the wood is generally easy to work. The wood is characteristically
very easy to turn. Boring qualities are reported to be very good.
Moulding properties are reported to be rather poor. The wood has
exceptional mortising properties. The gluing properties of the wood
have been reported as fair to satisfactory. The wood is reported
to have good nail-holding qualities. Screw-holding qualities are
reported to be good. The material responds very well to sanding operations,
and the wood is reported to leave the sander with a clean and smooth
surface. The wood has excellent finishing characteristics. Staining
properties are reported to be very good, but filling is required
because of the open grain. The wood of black walnut can be varnished
easily, after filling. The wood takes paint well. Steam bending characteristics
are reported to be good.
Durability: Resistance to insect and
fungal attack is reported to be very good.
Preservation: N/A |
