EUROPEAN STEAMED WALNUT: F
This remains one of the finest timbers available from Europe, however it should be noted that the stock does not include as much dark streaking or heartwood as we would have wished. The steaming process blends the colours of sapwood and heartwood making it possible for sapwood to be included in the finished product.

Production: T/T, 1/SE, S/E.

Juglans regia
Family: Juglandaceae

Commercial names: Named after the country of origin, e.g. English, French, Italian, Circassian, Persian Walnut etc.

Distribution: Europe, including the UK, Asia Minor and South West Asia.

General description: The colour of the heartwood varies according to origin. Usually grey-brown with infiltrations of darker colouring irregularly distributed as streaks of smokey brown. The grain is straight to wavy, with a rather coarse texture. The figured wood sometimes forms a well defined central core. Weight averages 640 kg/m3 (40lb/ft3); specific gravity 0.64.

Mechanical properties: Walnut has medium bending strength and resistance to shock loads, high crushing strength and low stiffness, and a very good steam bending classification.

Seasoning: The material seasons well but slowly and drying should not be forced as there is a tendency for honeycomb checks to develop in thicker material. Medium movement in service.

Working properties: This timber works easily and well with both hand and machine tools and finishes cleanly, with only a moderate blunting effect on cutting edges. Nailing and screwing is good; gluing is satisfactory and the material polishes to a high finish. An easy timber to carve.

Durability: Moderately durable. The sapwood is liable to attack by powder post and common furniture beetle, and the logs are susceptible to Longhorn and Buprestid beetle attack. The heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment, but the sapwood is permeable.

Uses: This excellent timber is used in the solid and veneer form for high-class furniture, cabinetmaking, bank and office fittings, rifle butts and gunstocks, turnery and carving, doors, sports goods, and fascias and cappings in cars.

JBT Comments: The botanical name for Walnut, Regia, means ‘fit for a king’, no more need be said. With the availability of our Native Walnut now being practically non-existent, we have now found a reliable shipper of an excellent quality production in this much sought after European species. This production is clearer from defect compared to most European Walnut production, which makes it seem a little bland. However the high percentage of clear cutting in the boards is most welcome compared to what we have been accustomed to in the past. This stock is available in a reasonable width specification for this species, however lengths are limited and inspection is strongly recommended. The following is a description of this beautiful timber. The heartwood is grey-brown with infiltrations of darker colouring irregularly distributed as streaks of smokey-brown. The grain is straight to wavy, sometimes with an attractive ripple figure. It has a rather coarse texture but works to a very high finish. As the sapwood is much lighter in colour than the heartwood, and in order that this sapwood can be used as well as the heartwood, European sawmills steam the whole log under high pressure, immediately after sawing. This process blends both heartwood and sapwood into a pleasing mild chocolate brown colour. There is still a contrast between the heartwood and sapwood but far less pronounced than before steaming. The sawn logs are also dipped in insecticide after steaming, in order to reduce the risk of insect attack, particularly in the sapwood. The high pressure steaming process makes the timber much easier to work and kiln dry. All the European Walnut we offer has been steamed and includes sapwood unless otherwise stated.

Uses: For gun stocks, turnery, carving and above all for fine cabinet work, historically associated with Queen Anne period designs.

Grade: First and second quality/lengths. Sold in complete boules so one must accept some heart shake. Due to the steaming process, sapwood is not classed as a defect and should be incorporated into items made from this timber. The grading is one of personal opinion. We stress this is only sold subject to inspection.

Specification: Through and through complete boules; 4ft and longer, average 6ft. 4ins and wider, average 10ins to 12ins. Sapwood no defect, measured in full.

Stockholding: 900 cubic feet in kiln dried stock; 1in to 4ins thickness.

WALNUT NATIVE
Very similar to French Walnut but sometimes with darker markings in the heartwood. As our Native trees have a tendency to be larger and older, ripple figure is more frequently found. Unfortunately the availability of good logs is limited as these demand high prices for veneer production.It is our company policy to saw all the logs we purchase and not sell any for veneer production. We are sometimes able to offer some excellent planking stock. Our stock is ideal for furniture manufacture and we also have selected boards in 21/2ins and 3ins thicknesses showing plenty of colour and figure which may be suitable for gunstocks. If you require Native Walnut for any specific application we recommend inspection. Unlike our Steamed French Walnut, our Native Walnut is not steamed. The sapwood is light grey and shows a sharp contrast to the dark heartwood. We therefore stress that it is important to inspect the stock in order to decide if it is suitable for your particular application.

Grade: First and second quality mixed. Sold subject to inspection.

Specification: Through and through and/or one square edge, 4ft and longer, 4ins and wider.

Stockholding: Subject to availability.