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Illustration—not a verified specimenButternut (Juglans cinerea) wood grain — Janka 490 lbf
Hardwood
Common in U.S.

Butternut

Juglans cinerea

Genus: Juglans · Family: Juglandaceae

Furniture
Turning
Veneer

Quick Facts

Wood Type

Hardwood

Native Range

North America

Avg. Dried Weight

27 lb/ft³

Janka Hardness

490 lbf

Decay Resistance

Non-Durable

Typical Color

Light Brown

Stability

High

Outdoor Suitability

Poor

Workability

Easy

Availability

Common in U.S.

CITES

Unlisted

IUCN

Not Evaluated

Limited data · 2/9

Did You Know?

  • •Butternut is softer than 90% of species in our database, making it one of the lightest and easiest to work by hand.

Janka Hardness Scale

490lbf

Very Soft

Butternut
100
690
1,010
1,360
1,450
1,820
3,510
4,570

Appearance

Heartwood ColorLight Brown
GrainStraight
TextureMedium to coarse

Technical Properties

Avg. Dried Weight27 lb/ft³
Specific Gravity (basic)Not recorded
Specific Gravity (12% MC)Not recorded
Janka Hardness490 lbf
Modulus of RuptureNot recorded
Elastic ModulusNot recorded
Crushing StrengthNot recorded
Shrinkage (Radial)Not recorded
Shrinkage (Tangential)Not recorded
Shrinkage (Volumetric)Not recorded
T/R RatioNot recorded
Stability RatingHigh

Sources, Conditions & Safety

No documented references are attached to this profile yet. Its recorded values should not be treated as source-verified.

Wood dust & sensitivity

Species-specific safety information has not been documented here. Absence of a warning does not mean the wood is safe or non-allergenic.

Use dust extraction and appropriate protective equipment; consult occupational-safety guidance. This is not medical advice or food-contact approval.

Durability & Performance

Decay ResistanceNon-Durable
Outdoor SuitabilityPoor

Workability

Overall RatingEasy
Blunting EffectLow

Common Uses

Furniture
Turned Objects
Veneer

Sustainability & Trade

Listings are reference information, not proof of legal sourcing or certification. Verify current trade rules and supplier documentation before buying; absence of a note does not mean unrestricted trade.

CITES StatusUnlisted
IUCN StatusNot Evaluated

Native Distribution

North America

Find Substitutes

AI-powered alternative species matching

Look-Alike Species

Woods with a similar light brown color that are easily confused with Butternut. Recorded differences are shown where data exists; confirm identification with end-grain examination.