Black walnut, Juglans nigra, may also
be known as eastern black walnut or American walnut. This
tree once grew abundantly in the eastern bottomland forests,
where the soil was
deep and rich. Trees 150 feet tall with 50-foot clear
stems and 6-foot diameters were not uncommon. Solid walnut
wood has been used in every sort of homemade furniture
imaginable during the Colonial and Federal periods.
During
pioneer times in the Midwest states, black walnut was still
very abundant, although the extremely large trees were
already gone. The tree was often cut for such rudimentary
things as split rail fences. Millions of railroad ties were
made from
walnut, since it resisted rot when in contact with the soil.
Black
walnut is now making a comeback and is competing with black
cherry and white oak as one of the fine North American
hardwoods. It is unsurpassed, since no other wood has less
jar or recoil, it doesn’t warp, shrink or splinter,
and it is light in proportion to its strength. The smooth,
satiny
surface makes it easy to handle.
For
questions or ordering, please call 434.645.2600 or contact
us.
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