WoodSwatch · The Wood Ledger
English Walnut
Juglans regia
Also known as: European Walnut, Persian Walnut, Circassian Walnut
Technical Spec Sheet
2026-07-14
Reference grain swatch
- Janka Hardness
- 1,220 lbf (5,427 N)
- Avg. Dried Weight
- 640 kg/m³ (40 lb/ft³)
- Specific Gravity
- 0.64
- Type
- Hardwood
- Grain
- Usually straight, often wavy with attractive figure
- Texture
- Medium to coarse
- Durability
- Durable, moderately resistant to decay
- Region
- Europe, Asia
- Sustainability
- Sustainable — Sustainable with proper management, widely cultivated
Overview
English Walnut is one of the world's most prized furniture woods, valued for its rich color, beautiful grain patterns, and exceptional working properties. Native to a region from the Balkans to the Himalayas but cultivated throughout Europe for millennia, it produces both valuable timber and edible walnuts, making it economically important across multiple continents.
The heartwood ranges from gray-brown to rich chocolate brown, often with darker streaks and attractive figure including burls, crotches, and ripples. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray. Density averages 640 kg/m³ when dried with a Janka hardness of 1,220 lbf. The medium to coarse texture and often wavy grain create beautiful patterns.
Workshop Notes
Blunting Effect
Low to moderate - generally kind to cutting edges
Gluing
Excellent gluing properties
Finishing
Outstanding - takes finishes beautifully, especially oil-based
Steam Bending
Good steam bending characteristics
Scent
Mild, pleasant aroma when worked
Assessment
Strengths
- Beautiful appearance
- Good stability
- Excellent finishing characteristics
- Takes carving and detail well
Weaknesses
- Can be expensive
- Variable figure quality
- Sapwood susceptible to insect attack
Common Uses
Fine furniture · Gunstocks · Veneer · Musical instruments · Turned items · Luxury cabinetry · Sculpture