Six Common Grain Patterns of North American Black Walnut

● Waterdrop GrainA tangential surface grain. The center of the wave grain forms a waterdrop-shaped pattern. Small waterdrop grains are usually surrounded by overlapping mountain grains, while large waterdrop grains are generally accompanied by wave grains.

● Wave GrainA tangential surface grain. It appears on the cross-section perpendicular to wood rays and parallel to growth rings. The center of a wave grain is the waterdrop grain. The wider the spacing between the texture lines of wave grain, the relatively looser the wood texture. It is one of the most beautiful grain patterns of North American black walnut.

● Straight Line GrainA radial surface grain, formed in the secondary xylem near the sapwood on the tangential plane. It is the most prevalent and widely used grain pattern for furniture timber.

● Mountain GrainBeautiful large parabolic patterns formed on the tangential surface. A single mountain grain has one peak; multiple peaks stack to transition from mountain grain to wave grain, with straight line grains often appearing on both sides. The denser the grain lines, the higher the wood hardness and the better the quality.

● Bird Peck GrainAs the name suggests, it refers to textured blemishes caused by bird pecking or other external forces. It sometimes forms in included bark and is generally regarded as wood knots. It maintains intact texture connection with the surrounding wood structure without fractures or pith core structure.

● Burl Gold GrainBurl gold grain is the sectional pattern of burl growths on black walnut trees. It is the tree’s natural response to external damage, such as insect infestation or impact injuries. It features diverse and ever-changing patterns, boasting the finest texture, highest hardness, and most gorgeous grain. It is commonly used for luxury decoration.