Walnut is by definition a hardwood. That means it comes from a deciduous tree (i.e. one that sheds its leaves each autumn) called the black walnut, AKA American walnut. Walnut heartwood has a rich, chocolaty brown color. Other colors can be present, including purples, greens and golds. The sapwood ranges from a pale creamy color to almost white. These color variations are common in fresh timber. However, the kiln drying process can mute them, creating a more homogenous color across the board. The most common walnut species are: Black walnut: Often referred to simply as “walnut,” this wood comes from trees that grow all over the Eastern U.S. This wood has good dimensional stability and a Janka hardness rating of 1,010 pound-force (lbf). The Janka rating comes from a test that measures the density of wood species. English walnut: Sometimes called European walnut, English walnut is similar in color and workability to its American cousin. I have found the color tends to be slightly paler, more like milk chocolate. It is slightly harder than the American walnut with a Janka rating of 1,220 lbf. Fun fact: English walnut produces the most common form of edible walnuts. Claro walnut: Grown in California and Oregon, Claro walnut is used as rootstock in walnut orchards. These orchard-grown trees can result in irregular grain patterns and are sometimes grafted with English walnut branches. That results in vibrant, colorful streaks near the graft, called marbling. Butternut: Yes, butternut is a member of the walnut family! While sometimes referred to as white walnut or even poor man’s walnut, don’t let the pejorative fool you: Butternut is a beautiful wood. It has a lovely golden-tan color to the heartwood and is a dream to work with hand tools. However, it’s soft, with a Janka rating of 490 lbf, so be mindful what projects you choose to make with it.
