Different Types of Black Walnut Live Edge and What to Look for Before Buying - Brick Mill Furniture

Different Types of Black Walnut Live Edge and What to Look for Before Buying

You might have heard about black walnut live edge wood, but did you know that there are different types of black walnut wood?

Whether you’re on the hunt for a new coffee table or sofa table, it’s important to know about the different types of black walnut wood that can be used to create your new piece of furniture. You don’t need to be in the wood business to learn about the different kinds of black walnut live edge there is.

So, why is it important to know the different types of black walnut wood? Because each type of wood has its unique characteristics, properties, and look that other types don’t have. Walnut slab wood is a great wood for building furniture because it’s not only interesting to build with, but the results end up being mesmerizing.

Different Types of Black Walnut Wood

Walnut wood comes in various types. To make sure that you’re getting the right kind for your project, it’s important to know what all of your options are. Below you’ll find the six types of black walnut wood that are used to build furniture.

1. English Walnut Trees

English walnut comes from walnut trees that produce edible walnuts. There are several different names that English walnut trees go by, including European walnut, Common walnut, French walnut, and Circassian walnut. These walnut trees can be found throughout Eastern Europe and western Asia.

They can grow to be 35m long and about 2m wide, and it’s very expensive to purchase.

English walnut can range from dark chocolate to pale brown, and the sapwood is almost white. It depends on your drying method, but the English walnut wood can have traces of several colors. Because of this, it’s very common to see reddish, purple, or gray cast in the wood.

It’s important to note that while English walnut wood is generally graded as moderately durable, it’s susceptible to attacks by insects.

2. Black Walnut Live Edge Wood

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Black walnut slab wood is the most popular type of walnut used by woodworkers in the United States. It’s not only easy to work with and strong, but it also has great dimensional stability and is resistant to shock. Black walnut slab wood is harvested from trees that can be found throughout the eastern United States.

They can grow to be 37m long and 0.6-1m thick. The heartwood of the black walnut wood ranges from dark chocolate brown to pale yellow. However, the sapwood is typically yellow-gray to nearly white. If you’re searching for a highly durable piece of wood that’s also rot-resistant, black walnut live edge wood is the perfect choice for you.

Just keep in mind that it’s also susceptible to bug attacks. The great thing about black walnut wood is that it’s easy to find, and it’s not nearly as expensive as English walnut wood.

3. Claro Walnut

Claro walnut, also called California Black walnut, is related to black walnut live edge wood. The color of claro walnut wood is between light brown to chocolate brown, and just like the other types of black walnut wood, claro walnut wood is susceptible to insect infestations.

However, this type of wood is highly resistant to decay and is durable. Generally, the price of this wood is only a little higher than black walnut slab wood.

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4. White Walnut Trees

White walnut has a much lighter color than black walnut wood, but that’s not the only difference: This wood is much softer, and it’s not as durable against decay as the other types of black walnut wood.

It’s easy to work with, but because it’s soft, it has a fuzzy surface, even after it’s been sanded. White walnut wood is less expensive and can be found just about anywhere.

5. Bastogne Walnut Wood

This type of walnut wood is a cross-pollination of claro and English walnut. This breed of wood grows much faster than its parent trees and produces much stronger lumber. However, the quantity and quality of the walnuts it makes aren’t like the ones produced by its parent trees.

You can find these trees throughout California. They grow to be around 30m high and 1-1.5m thick, and the color of its wood ranges from light golden brown to reddish-brown.

6. Peruvian Walnut

These trees don’t technically come from Peru. Instead, the trees are distributed throughout southern and central America and southern Mexico. The trees grow to be around 9-18m high and 0.6-1m thick. Peruvian walnut wood is pretty famous among woodworkers and hardwood dealers.

The color of these trees is much darker than all of the trees listed above: it has a deep chocolate brown color and can sometimes have a purple tint.

FAQ

Is Dark Walnut the Same as Black Walnut Wood?

Dark walnut is walnut hardwood with a dark walnut stain, and black walnut is walnut hardwood with an ebony stain. So, while you might think they’re different types of walnut wood, they’re technically similar.

What’s the Difference Between Black Walnuts and Regular Walnuts?

Nearly every black walnut tree grows in the wild, whereas English walnut trees typically grow in orchards. The most significant difference between black walnuts and English walnuts is the distinctive, bold, rich flavor of black walnuts.

Does Black Walnut Wood Darken Over Time?

No. Unlike oak, maple, and cherry wood, which all darken over time, black walnut live edge wood can lighten as it ages.

What Color is Black Walnut Slab Wood?

Black walnut live edge wood slabs are very dark brown with black undertones. If you think about it, it’s the classic wood color of expensive furniture.

What Kind of Furniture Do You Make Using Black Walnut Wood?

We use black walnut to make a lot of our furniture! You can purchase black walnut desks, floating shelves, coffee tables, dining tables, benches, and more from us. Our black walnut is locally sourced, which is both economically friendly and sustainable.

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