Walnut Wood: All About The Walnut Tree

We know its fruit exceedingly well but for such a beautiful and versatile timber, how much do we know about the actual wood of walnut? W.L. West & Sons thought it would be useful to hold a bit of a crash course on the properties and uses of walnut wood. Before we start, a quick disclaimer: the term `Walnut wood' can refer to two different trees in a family of twenty-one species: Black Walnut and European Walnut, which vary a lot in appearance. In this article, we will be focusing on European Walnut (Juglans regia).

Walnut Tree: Properties & Appearance

Originally native to Asia and Greece, the walnut tree was introduced to Britain in the 1400s, with most supplies coming from France. A deciduous tree used to a temperate climate, European Walnut is a premium hardwood, moderately durable and lighter in colour than American or Black Walnut. The walnut available at our yard is of the juglans regia wood species, grown and milled in a family-held, specialist mill in France before its importation to the UK.The grain patterning of European Walnut wood tends to be varied and irregular, often featuring whorls and knots reminiscent of the wild, gnarly trees described in JRR Tolkien's Fangorn Forest or Virgil's odes to the Etruscan lands. Unlike many other hardwoods, the burrs, crotches and stumps of Walnut add to its appeal, its mottled effect often featuring as the main attraction of decorative veneer. Walnut roots are especially valued for gunstocks.

Easy to work by hand and machine, walnut wood finishes well, with a medium texture and semi-porous endgrain. Machining just needs a little more concentration as the characteristic swirls mean the grain goes in all directions, but in itself also adds to the beauty of the board.

Its growth rings are distinct, the heartwood usually darker than the golden sapwood, typically tan brown or dark chocolate brown with deeper, richer streaks. By contrast, Black Walnut has a cooler, almost purplish tone to it.While its rot resistance is notable, Walnut wood is prone to insect attack and needs careful protection as it grows. Unlike its fruit, it does not typically trigger any allergic reactions.

Walnut Wood Uses

Hard, heavy and resilient, Walnut timber's smooth surface and resistance to shrinkage and splitting make it an excellent material for woodworking and carving, particularly turning and profiling. For its stability and ease of workability, Walnut is highly prized and valued among joinery, cabinet and furniture makers. It is also used in the manufacture of veneer for musical instruments, interior decoration and hardwood flooring.

Walnut Wood Stains

Difficult to treat due to its acid content and density, Walnut is rarely stained in order to preserve its natural beauty, though it takes stain well. Some joiners and cabinetry craftsmen may employ a slight red/orange tint to increase the saturation and richness of French Walnut's golden tones, which may, in their natural state, appear greyer at first. Walnut wood also takes glues and finishes well, although the irregular grain may cause some tearout. NB: Walnut wood may stain when it comes into contact with iron.

Buy French Walnut from W.L. West & Sons

Please get in touch with one of our specialists below to discuss your project before ordering. We aim to get back to you in the next three working days. Our French Walnut stock is currently available, cut to size  in the following specifications:

• 30mm T/T kiln-dried

• 35mm T/T kiln-dried

• 41mm T/T kiln-dried

• 50mm T/T kiln-dried

• 60mm T/T kiln-dried

WL West Timber is a family-owned sawmill & timber merchant in West Sussex with over 155 years’ industry experience. We provide a wide range of air-dried oak and kiln-dried oak timber products and supplies. We also build and install custom projects for our customers.

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