APPEARANCE
Dark brown heartwood and lighter, often with dark streaks sapwood. The grain is frequently curly with mottled and burled figures. The wood first appears to be relatively dull and somewhat oily; with time, however, it develops a rich, lustrous patina that accounts for its aristocratic elegance. It works better in spacious, visually balanced areas by inducing a sense of equilibrium to a rather light-colored décor. Most often is employed for small sections, to add character
PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
The wood is hard (1300 on Janka scale), heavy and shows exceptional dimensional stability. Being a stiff wood, however, it tends to be a bit brittle. It is very durable, even under circumstances that would generally lead to decay. Its high content of aromatic compounds might impart taste to the foods it comes in prolonged contact with. Therefore, despite its resistance to scratches and cut marks, it is not the right choice for cutting boards and butcher blocks..
WORKING
PROPERTIES
IIt works equally well with machines or hand tools. Molds and shapes very well, and its rather short fiber allows some of the most elaborate edge profiles. Sands and polishes to a high luster, but it stains rather poorly.
TRIVIA
The European walnut (the edible walnut tree, Juglans regia) is a loner by nature. Unlike its American cousin (the black walnut, Juglans nigra) that grows well in forest stands, the European walnut does not suffer other trees in its immediate vicinity. That is why it is never found in the forest. It grows instead in meadows and glades, where the closest tree is at least 40 feet away. Consequently, while the American walnut competes with other trees for sunlight and, therefore, grows a long, straight stem, the European walnut, lacking such competition, grows a short stem and low, thick branches. This growth configuration is viewed as an asset (since it generates the curvy, twisted, unusual patterns of the grain that are highly priced for their visual effects) and a defect (since it becomes difficult to obtain walnut lumber lengths exceeding 4’).
