Thread: Is this walnut?

Looks like queensland walnut to me.

It's not American Walnut.

Huon,

Would agree it is most likely Queensland walnut, commonly called black walnut up here. Can have an unpleasant odour, similar to dog shyte. Usually has a high silica content and is murder on router cutters and planer knives.

Jim

I would have a go at it with a hand plane. If it planes relatively easily, it's American Walnut, if the plane goes blunt within 3 strokes it's NQ Walnut
Rgds,
Crocy.

Originally Posted by Old Croc

I would have a go at it with a hand plane. If it planes relatively easily, it's American Walnut, if the plane goes blunt within 3 strokes it's NQ Walnut
Rgds,
Crocy.

A good rule of thumb crocy, but not 100% reliable in my experience. Haven't worked with a huge amount of Cryptocarya palmerstonii, but of the few batches I've had, one was exactly as you describe, it dulled every edge tool that came near it in jig time, even a rasp! But at two different batches I had were quite tolerable to work with hand tools. Lake mentions this in his book, it seems the silica content increases with te age of the tree.

The OP's stash does look more like Qld walnut to me, too, but I wouldn't take bets on the basis of a photograph. I have both C. palerstonii & Juglans nigra in my stash & I have to look very closely at what I pull out to make sure I've got the right one. However, as you pointed out, you are in little doubt you've got the local stuff the second you feed it to the tablesaw - I would describe the smell as more like vomit than dog poo, but p'raps it varies (as does our sense of smell). OTH, the Nth American variety has quite a pleasant smell when sawn or planed....

Cheers,
Ian

I reckon it's QLD walnut. And yep, it stinks when you cut it!

Originally Posted by IanW

you are in little doubt you've got the local stuff the second you feed it to the tablesaw - I would describe the smell as more like vomit than dog poo, but p'raps it varies (as does our sense of smell). OTH, the Nth American variety has quite a pleasant smell when sawn or planed....

Thanks for the heads up. I will cut a piece on my saw and take a whiff.