Walnut: Regular vs Black

Re: Walnut: Regular vs Black

Many folks including myself refer to black walnut as walnut. So to answer your question they are one in the same Juglans nigra.

Re: Walnut: Regular vs Black

Thanks Dale, I was just doing a search of other messages that delt with Walnut which answered another question I had. I was wondering why the Walnut I had cut from the Walnut orchard had so much heart wood.

I found an append from Jon Arno in April this year that describes the growing environment. The wetter the environment the faster the tree grows and fast growth makes more sap wood.

The trees in an orchard in California are irrigated in the summer but I doubt if the water goes very deep. So winter it rains but summer is usually dry.

Also ran acrossed a reference to a web site that lists a wide variety of tree species. I listed this site below.

Thanks and take care Dale!

Greg Davis


http://www.canr.uconn.edu/plsci/mbrand/common/a.html

Re: Walnut: Species

Greg, if you are dealing with orchard stock walnut in California, chances are it is the European species (Juglans regia.) This is the preferred species for commercial walnut production and in California it is grafted on to the rootstock of one of our hardier native walnuts, either J. nigra or its close relative; the west coast species; J. hindsii. The European species produces lighter colored and slightly softer wood...but it's still an outstanding cabinet wood.

Re: Walnut: Species

Thanks Jon:

These trees were grafted that we have cut. Its good to know that they make good cabinet stock.

I have almost given up on these Walnut trees, I have ran into the small nails they used to pin up the saplings but have found large spikes or nails about a foot up from the ground. I have ruined 2 band saw blades already during the resaw operation. Luckly the blades are only $17.00 apiece. But the wood I have milled is in decent shape and has a good grain. I have 2 more logs to cut and 1 more bandsaw blade left. I am definately buying a real good metal detector and moisture meter at the upcoming Wood Show in November. Do you know of some excellent devices you could stear me toward or some I should not consider?

Thanks for the info. Jon,

Greg Davis

Re: Walnut: Species

Greg, it's a shame the lower ends of the logs are full of metal. In these grafted logs this is where the nicest figured wood is found...called claro walnut. It typically has light and dark brown, variegated color where the two species come together.

As for gadgets, I'm not a tool hound. Never owned a moisture meter. I operate on the axiom that it can't get too dry. I've left lumber sticker stacked for literally years.

Re: Walnut: Species

Absolutely, I think the claro walnut is why I persist in milling these logs. I may have to cut around an occasional nail but 75 or 80% of the log is useable. I have the Walnut drying in my shop and love to smell all the Walnut whenever I go there.

I am building a Solar Kiln and the moisture meter was recommended in most of the material I have read that I fould through WoodCentral messages.

Thanks again Jon,

Greg Davis

Re: Good to know

I always thought the Claro walnut probably came from Egypt, : ' > .

Thanks Jon for sharing your knowledge,

Dale

Re: Walnut: Species

Greg,

Another excellent source of info on Solar kilns and wood drying is the Sawing and Drying Forum at WoodWeb.com. From time to time you'll see some familiar names over there, also.

GE


Sawing and Drying Forum