Edensaw Woods is Seattle-Port Townsend, Washington's leading supplier of
high-quality walnut lumber domestic woods. We provide a diverse selection of domestic walnut lumber to local home builders, woodworkers, boat builders, and remodelers for all types of woodworking projects. We are committed to always exceeding clients' expectations and providing great client service. Walnut lumber, originating from the american black walnut tree (Juglans nigra), is a highly prized hardwood valued for its light pale brown to rich chocolate brown heartwood with dark streaks, producing a rich and distinct appearance. Its sapwood is pale yellow-gray to off-white. This
domestic wood is native to the United States, notably in the midwest and eastern areas, and is known for its durability, adaptability, stability, and ease of workability.
Properties and Technical Data of Walnut Lumber:
- Color/Appearance: The heartwood ranges from a lighter pale brown to a deep dark chocolate brown with darker purplish streaks. The sapwood is a creamy white. Steaming is often used commercially to darken the sapwood.
- Grain/Texture: The grain is usually straight, but highly desirable figured grain patterns like curl, crotch, and burl are common. The texture is coarse yet uniform.
- Endgrain: A semi-ring-porous wood with medium-sized pores that decrease in size towards the latewood. Density averages approximately $38 \text{ lbs/ft}^3$ (610 kg/m$^3$).
- Rot Resistance: The heartwood of black walnut is rated as very durable in terms of decay resistance, suitable for protected exterior use. However, the sapwood is non-durable and susceptible to insect attack.
- Workability: Typically rated as excellent. It is easy to cut, shape, and sand, making it appropriate for both new and expert woodworkers. It holds fasteners and glue well.
- Odor: When worked, walnut has a faint, mild, and sweet aroma.
- Common Uses: Fine furniture, gunstocks, veneer, cabinetry, high-end millwork, and musical instruments.
When purchasing walnut lumber, the grade and treatment process are paramount due to the high cost of the material:
- NHLA Grading: Walnut is primarily graded using NHLA (National Hardwood Lumber Association) rules, with FAS (First and Seconds) representing the highest grade, ensuring the largest percentage of clear, defect-free material for the most demanding projects. Lower grades, like Select or No. 1 Common, are more economical and suitable for smaller components or parts where defects can be cut out.
- Steaming Process: Most commercial walnut is steamed immediately after kiln-drying. This process helps diffuse the dark heartwood color into the lighter sapwood, reducing contrast and resulting in a more uniform brown tone across the entire board. Unsteamed walnut retains a higher degree of color contrast.
- Moisture Content (MC): High-quality furniture and cabinet-grade walnut should be kiln-dried to an MC of 6% to 8%. This low moisture content is vital to prevent checking, cupping, and twisting after the final product is assembled.
Common Applications for Walnut Lumber:
- Furniture: Walnut's rich color and exquisite grain make it ideal for tables, chairs, dressers, and other high-end, heirloom-quality furnishings.
- Cabinetry: Brings warmth and beauty to kitchens, bathrooms, and other built-in cabinets.
- Flooring: A classy and durable solution for living spaces, though like all woods, it's prone to scratching under heavy wear.
- Musical Instruments: Due to its tonal properties and resonance, it is used in musical instruments including as guitars, veneers, and drums.
When searching for premium walnut lumber for high-end furniture, cabinetry, or custom millwork, look to Edensaw Woods (
Edensaw.com), your local domestic & exotic supplier in Port Townsend-Tacoma, Washington. We carry a wide selection of top-quality
domestic lumber and woods, specializing in the deep, rich tones of
walnut lumber, highly prized across the Seattle-Port Townsend-Tacoma area for its workability and luxurious finish. Our extensive domestic wood inventory also features:
alder,
ash,
cherry,
hickory,
poplar,
red oak,
red oak r/q,
white oak, and
white oak r/q lumber. We provide a full range of
products and custom milling
services throughout the Pacific Northwest region. We encourage you to
contact us with any inquiries. Once your project is complete,
tell us about your completed project! 
