Peruvian Walnut

Botanical Name

Juglans spp.

Other Common Names

Tropical Walnut, Nogal, Nuez meca, South American Walnut, Tocte

Country

Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico

The Tree

Mostly up to 60 ft in height with diameters up to 36 in.; sometimes free from branches for 30 ft but more frequently clear to 10 or 15 ft.

Appearance

Heartwood chocolate brown and generally darker than the North American black walnut, sometimes with a purplish cast, sharply demarcated from the whitish sapwood.

Properties

Texture rather coarse, grain straight to irregular. Odor and taste mild but distinctive.

Working Properties

Works easily with hand and machine tools. Fasteners hold well, glues well, polishes to a high finish.

Uses

Furniture, cabinetry, veneers, flooring, musical instruments, and interior trim.

Availability

Peruvian Walnut is more expensive than domestic species of Walnut, though it still tends to be moderately priced for an imported lumber. Medium availability at specialty wood dealers.