The qualities of walnut wood and how it is used
Walnut is a beautiful, strong and versatile wood. It comes from a moderate size tree which grows to be about 100 feet tall, with a trunk that can be up to 60″ in diameter. The wood ranges in color from light to dark brown to chocolate brown. The color of walnut varies from species to species and is also affected by the area in which it grows. Walnut wood is warm and rich in color and finishes well.
Walnut is a fine-grained hardwood that is dense and shock resistant. It polishes to a very smooth finish, making it ideal for furniture making and carving. Walnut burl is often made into veneer and is highly prized by cabinet makers and car manufacturers. Traditionally this wood has been the wood of choice for gun makers. It has the ideal qualities for all types of gun stocks. Walnut is also used to make a variety of stringed instruments such as guitars, lutes and violins.
There are 21 species in the walnut family. The varieties we sell are Claro, Bastogne, and English walnut. Claro has a complex color and often possesses an intense figure which makes it ideal for use in making musical instruments. Bastogne walnut is one of the most rare of all hardwoods. It is a cross between Claro and English walnut and is often used to make gun stocks because of its strength and hardness. English walnut is known by many different common names, including the Persian walnut, all of which refer to the species “regia”. Its wood has been used for centuries for gun stocks and furniture. The grain of the English walnut is exceptionally fine and holds an edge quite well.
We are proud to offer the following high quality walnut products:
- Slabs
- Lumber
- Logs
- Veneer
- Gun stocks
- Music Wood
Choosing salvaged woods for your projects is a great way to be a part of today’s “green” focus. Re-purposing is what makes our urban logging a very satisfying business. We are able to follow our passion, help people improve their environments on a personal level and bring the needed resources to those who find their passion is creating with wood.
Learn more about reclaiming and salvaging, urban logging and our company philosophies by following our blog.