"Walnut" is universally recognised as a term to describe a dark decorative timber which has been
typically used in high quality furniture and joinery.
Price, variations in supply and fluctuations in market trends will influence the demand and use of
Walnut in this century (2003). Without doubt, recent trends have been either towards Mahogany,
various local and plantation species and Pine.
History shows that Walnut will rise in popularity again and for those with an interest in the species, I
will attempt ( with assistance of leading technical works ) to describe and assess the relative merits of
each of the more prominent types of Walnuts with some reference to other varieties or timber which
are sold under that name.
EUROPEAN
WALNUT ( Botanical Name: Juglans
Regia)
While some confusion might stem from the use of the country of origin in the description, this is not a
true distinction. In other words French, English, Italian and even Persian Walnut are all essentially
the same botanical species. Differences in appearance are climatic and topographical, not political.
European Walnut is reputed to work well with hand and machine tools, possesses medium bending
strength and a very good steam bending classification. There is medium movement in service and the
timber is used for high class furniture and cabinet making, turning and carvery. Historically much of
the Queen Anne period furniture was crafted from Walnut.
The timber is expensive and difficult to source.
Weight: 640 kg / m3
40 lb / ft3
NORTH
AMERICAN BLACK WALNUT ( sp : J. Nigara)
The more plentiful and darker North American Walnut is more likely to be available to Australian end -
users today than its European counterpart.
This timber is
grown along the East Coast of the
The description, working properties, uses and bending classification is virtually identical to European
Walnut although American Walnut is described as being durable whereas the European species is
regarded as only moderately so.
Weight: 640 kg / m3
40 lb / ft3
SOUTH
AMERICAN WALNUT
(
sp : Endiandra Palmerstonii)
Generally known
in
European or North American Walnut.
In common with those other species. This timber works well and dresses to a finish which has been
aptly described as possessing a "silken lustre".
This timber possesses the depth of colour but not the hardness of Ebony. Its uses are identical to the
other Walnuts previously referred to.
Weight: 650 kg / mj3
42 lb / ft3
OTHER "WALNUTS"
For reason of physical similarity, the timber trade accepts a number of other species under the general
description of "Walnut". In truth these species are neither true Walnuts nor do they specifically match
any of other true Walnuts. Nonetheless they each have their own following for a variety of reasons
which may vary from availability, range of sizes, working characteristics and price. Some of these
"Walnuts" are as follows:
Queensland Walnut ( sp Endiadra
Palmerstonii)
This timber varies from light to dark brown streaked with pinkish grey, green or black stripes on
quartered surfaces. Planed surfaces are quite lustrous. The black striped variety probably resembles
North American Walnut more than the other two.
Both in texture and in weight, it compares closely with a true Walnut although in appearance it is a
little more striped.
This is an abrasive wood to work with hand or machine tools because it contains silica. Its uses
coincide with those of true Walnut. It is non - durable. Sources increasingly rare as habitat is now
World Heritage Listed.
Weight 680 kg / m3
42 lb / ft3
New Guinea Walnut (sp Dracontomelym Mangiferum)
This timber is frequently purchased and then deliberately aged or distressed to resemble European
Walnut.
The risk in buying this timber is that only the heartwood is figured while the greater proportion of each
log is pale and bland. Only the figured timber will in any sense resemble a Walnut. This timber also has
an allure for pin- hole borerand the minute damage caused by this insect is almost impossible to
detect in a rough sawn board.
New Guinea Walnut machines well and polishes satisfactorily. Its bending qualities are medium.
Its uses are consistent with those of a true Walnut and while it is definitely cheaper, the variation in
character and the risk of pin - hole borer are factors that any potential buyer should bear in mind. As
the photograph indicates, a figured board is a quite spectacular blend of black stripes on a gold
background.
Supplies of this timber are inconsistent.
Weight: 740 kg / m3
46 lb / ft3
African
Walnut ( sp Lovoa Klaineana)
This Central West Coast African species has many similarities to a true Walnut. It is typically gold/
bronze /orange-brown in colour and noticeably deepens in colour with exposure in service.
It is commonly marked with long black streaks or veins which run at regular angles along or across
boards. This is clearly shown in the photograph. Flat sawn surfaces in particular give a " Walnut" look.
This timber is readily available and a little cheaper than a true Walnut.
Its uses coincide to those of a true walnut and reportedly works well with both hand and machine tools
although quartersawn timber has a tendency to pick up during planing.
Weight 550 kg / m3
34 lb/ ft3
Brazilian Walnut ( Also know as IMBUIA. Sp . Phoebe Porosa)
This is a superior South American species with similarity in colour, character and working qualities
and finish a true Walnut.
Australian Furniture Timbers generally stocks over 100 different local imported species. Even allowing
for the very subjective nature of personal opinion, I believe that every board of Brazilian Walnut
selected holds the potential to be more beautiful or enchanting than the one that preceded it. Arguably
there are few more attractive and unpredictable species.
The heartwood is yellow olive to chocolate brown with variegated streaks and stripes. It is stable and
moderately hard to heavy.
Imbuias' uses coincide with most of the accepted Walnut applications although it has a fairly low
bending classification.
It is readily available in wider boards in a range of thicknesses. It is priced on a par with true Walnuts.
Weight 660 kg / m3
41 lb / ft3
Repoh ( sp Chukrassia Tabularis)
This
and the Mahoganies, it more closed resembles the Walnuts in characteristics, marking and colour.
The timber is moderately hard and heavy and also very strong.
Back or flat sawn boards generally produce a beautify "cathedral" grain appearance in this walnut -
brown timber which darkens significantly on exposure. Contrasting gold and black rays add depth to the
appearance. Radial sawn boards are significantly plainer and the sapwood is defined sharply from true -
wood
This timber is moderately fine and uneven and silica is sometimes apparent in boards. It is sometimes
likened to the famous Indian species CHIKRASSY. It is readily available in wide boards and squares
(We stock 5" and 6" squares) and is much less expensive than the true Walnuts.
Weight 750 kg / m3
47 lb / ft3
Special Qualities of a True Walnut
Although a true walnut requires time to season ( and does shrink considerably during this period),
once dry it does stand up excellently to subsequent fluctuations in the elements - heat, cold or wet -
and for this reason it is the best known timber used in gun and rifle stocks.
Experience has demonstrated that the timber has a stability which gives producers and owners
confidence that there will be no change of shape which might otherwise affect the operation or
accuracy of the weapon. In addition, other qualities which enhance its repute for this purpose include:
1. An inherent strength, toughness, elasticity and "shock resistance".
2. Appropriate weight which assists in weapon balance.
3. Freedom from trouble which affect other timbers eg splitting, shrinkage, brittleness or liability to
dent.
4. Ease of manufacture.
These qualities induce the use of Walnut in aeroplane propeller blades.
The colour, general appearance and carving qualities of the wood have appealed to decorative artists.
Walnut panelling is used in walls, desks and in the dash boards of some motor vehicles.
Those contemplating the introduction into their home of a timber with warm, unique yet versatile
character should consider the various species of true and "other" walnuts mentioned in this article.