Walnut (Rustic)

Walnut grows in all three regions but is concentrated primarily is states such as Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. It is prized for its rich, dark brown heartwood. The sapwood is tan in color. Walnut is normally steamed before kiln drying in order to bleed the color of the heartwood into the sapwood. The wood is fairly soft and moderate in weight. Grading rules for Walnut are somewhat different and a bit more forgiving of natural defects than the rules that govern most other hardwoods.

Walnut is used in furniture, cabinets, gunstocks, trophies, veneer and flooring. Walnut has no clear substitutes but Soft Maple can be stained to match Walnut in color. Butternut has a similar grain pattern but is softer and relatively scarce.