Prices haven’t slowed sales of walnut

Pricing for black walnut (Juglans nigra) continues to climb, but that hasn’t diminished demand, according to lumber suppliers interviewed by Woodshop News. They say sales are influenced by a push from the design community as well as the unique and favorable properties of the species.

“In general, the demand for walnut is still high,” says Josh Nozick of Freestate Timbers in Timonium, Md. “Walnut is probably one of the top three movers for us.

“Availability is not an issue, but the price is definitely higher than it has been in the past few years, and it just keeps on climbing. Right now, 4/4 through 8/4, you’re looking at retail pricing anywhere from $14 to $16 per board foot.”

Nozick likes to educate his customers about walnut’s grading rules, which differ from other domestics.

“People should be aware that with the National Hardwood Lumber Association, there’s a carve-out in their grading rules which allows walnut to have more defects but still make it an FAS grade. So, it’s the nature of the beast with walnut. You’re going to have more sapwood and more knots.”

Carl Mahlstedt of Goosebay Lumber in Chichester, N.H. says walnut is more popular now than five or so years ago, even with the increased pricing. He sells a variety of grades for customers to work within their needs and budgets.

Walnut is “the only chocolatey brown domestic wood that’s out there, so I think it’s just always going to be a strong seller because of that. I’m still getting people who’ve just gotten into it and it’s very trendy, it seems like. But also, it’s just a mainstay as well,” says Mahlstedt.

“I’m still waiting for the prices to go down. It seems like they keep going up, but price is not steering people away. I would say that if anybody’s going to pay up for something, it’s usually walnut. There’s just something about it that people gravitate towards.” 

This article was originally published in the November 2023 issue.