Wood Species Guide
Peruvian Walnut
Juglans spp. (J. neotropica, J. australis, J. olanchana and others)
Also called: Tropical Walnut, Nogal, Nogal Negro, South American Walnut, Andean Walnut, Ecuadorian Walnut, Colombian Walnut
About the name “Peruvian Walnut”
Peruvian walnut is a trade name for several tropical Juglans species from Mexico through South America, so color and hardness vary by source. It is a true walnut, close kin to our domestic black walnut.
What Peruvian Walnut looks like
Dark chocolate brown, usually darker and more even than black walnut, sometimes with a purple or gray cast. Sapwood is pale.
Grain and texture
Mostly straight grain with medium texture and open pores. It tends to be plainer than figured black walnut.
Working Peruvian Walnut: planing, cutting and gluing
Works easily with hand and power tools and sands well. Slightly softer than black walnut, so it can dent and fuzz if your knives are dull. Glues, screws and stains well.
Finishing Peruvian Walnut: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Takes oil and film finishes well and looks rich under a hardwax oil. The open pores can trap air under epoxy, so seal coat first. Unlike black walnut, it tends to keep its dark color rather than fading lighter.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Moderately durable and reasonably stable. Indoor use is best in Florida; acclimate it in the AC before final machining.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Peruvian walnut is a good pick when you want a deep, even dark brown without stain. It is softer than domestic walnut, so treat tabletops to a tough finish. We do not stock it, but ask us and we can often source it. For live-edge slabs and river tables we usually steer people to our black walnut, which comes in wider stock with more figure. Published Janka values run roughly 960 to 1,080 lbf because several species are sold under this name.
Common uses for Peruvian Walnut
Furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, doors, gunstocks and musical instruments.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Juglans neotropica is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Safety and toxicity
- Sensitizer (allergy builds with exposure)
- Eye irritation
- Skin irritation
Walnuts are known sensitizers, and this wood is expected to act like its relatives, with eye and skin irritation the most common. Several species are sold under this name.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + dust mask when sanding; gloves for sensitive skin
- Food contact
- Use with care for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
Like other walnuts, it can cause eye and skin irritation. Use dust collection and a mask.
Peruvian Walnut in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Peruvian Walnut listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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