Juglans regia
European Walnut
Warm chocolate-brown hardwood with straight to wavy grain. Works cleanly, finishes beautifully, and reads as the maker's wood across European studios.
Grown commercially in EuropeFamily: Juglandaceae
Tree
Juglans regia grows across central and southern Europe — France, Italy, the Balkans, and into Anatolia. EU yards source it from managed orchards and woodland thinnings, with French and Italian stock the most common at trade.
Wood appearance
Grain runs mostly straight, with wavy or curly figure where branches and crotches meet. Texture is coarse and uneven, and at around 640 kg/m³ it feels solid in the hand without being heavy on the bench.
- Warm chocolate to greyed brown
- Purple and violet undertones in fresh stock
- Pale sapwood contrast at the edges
- Lightens slightly with UV over the first year
- Straight grain, sometimes wavy or curly. Coarse uneven texture.
Mechanical properties
| Density (kg/m³) | 590–680 kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Janka hardness (N) | 4,900–5,800 N |
| MOR: modulus of rupture (MPa) | 100–130 MPa |
| MOE: modulus of elasticity (GPa) | 9.0–12.0 GPa |
| Radial shrinkage | 4.5–5.5 % |
| Tangential shrinkage | 7.0–8.5 % |
| Volumetric shrinkage | 11.0–13.0 % |
| Natural durability (EN 350) | Class 3 — Moderately durable |
Working with it
1 = difficult · 5 = excellent
Saws, planes, sands, and turns at 4/5 — a cooperative wood on hand and machine tools. Wavy or curly sections want sharp irons and a light cut to avoid tear-out; steam-bending is workable but middling at 3/5.
- Sawing
- Planing
- Sanding
- Turning
- Carving
- Gluing
- Screw / nail hold
- Steam bending
Drying
Dries at a moderate rate with a tendency to check and honeycomb if pushed. Most EU yards air-dry then finish in the kiln; ask for moisture content and any sticker stain before you commit.
Finishing
Takes oils, hardwax, and shellac without fuss — a thinned oil coat deepens the brown and lifts any figure. Sands to a fine surface; avoid heavy stain, the natural colour does the work.
Durability and safety
- Class 3 — Moderately durable
- Food contact safe
- Dust irritant: wear PPE
Dust contains juglone and can irritate skin and airways — wear a mask and run extraction; finished surfaces are food-contact safe.
Best uses
- Live-edge dining and conference tables
- Bookmatched desk and console tops
- Carved chair seats and stool tops
- Cabinet doors and drawer fronts
- Turned bowls and lidded vessels
Pairs and substitutes
Pairs well with
Often substituted for
Sourcing and sustainability
- Grown commercially in Europe
- IUCN: LC — Least Concern
Native to Europe, IUCN Least Concern, and not CITES-listed. Supply is steady from orchard thinnings and managed woodland, though wide single-board slabs in the 80 cm+ range move fast.
Buyer questions
Is European Walnut a good choice for furniture?
European Walnut is best matched to projects such as Live-edge dining and conference tables, Bookmatched desk and console tops, Carved chair seats and stool tops, Cabinet doors and drawer fronts, Turned bowls and lidded vessels. The final choice should consider grain, finish, movement allowance, and the room where the piece will live.
How hard is European Walnut?
The listed Janka value is 5,410 N and the density is 640 kg/m³. Use these as comparison signals, not as a guarantee of how a finished surface will wear.
What should I check before buying European Walnut slabs online?
Check measured length, width stations, thickness, drying method, moisture notes, colour variation, defects, and origin. Compare the measured outline against the finished drawing before reserving the slab.
Current stock
No European Walnut in the current drop
This species is in the KORENA reference list, but there are no live pieces for the selected store right now. Check the journal or catalogue for nearby alternatives.
Get notified about European Walnut
We email you when fresh European Walnut slabs land at KORENA. Each piece is one of one, so early notice matters.
Sources
- The Wood Database(accessed 2026-05-09)
- USDA FPL Wood Handbook FPL-GTR-190 (2010)(accessed 2026-05-09)
- Meier, E. — WOOD! Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide (2015)(accessed 2026-05-09)