English Walnut Bowl
I was fortunate enough, some years ago, to be given a several nice pieces of English Walnut. Several of them are spindle size but I also had at least one bowl blank size, in this case, about 8 inch square by 2 inch height. This piece featured wonderful figure and some bark inclusions, making it almost burl-like in appearance. I have been very pleased with the outcome of working with this piece of rather unusual wood. I have previously written in detail about this wood here.
A Bit About English Walnut
The wood that in the United States is known as English Walnut is known simply as Walnut in Europe, where it is native. In the United States, English Walnut trees are most familiar as the fruiting stock of commercial walnut orchards, although the trunks and roots are likely to be another species native to California, known as Claro Walnut. The graft joints between the two species are especially prized because whereas Claro Walnut tends to be quite dark in coloration, English Walnut tends to be quite light in color, making graft junctions pieces with wildly contrasting colors likely.
While English Walnut can be quite plain, the heartwood tends to darken with age, so wood from older trees is likely to be more attractive. However, unlike some other species of Walnut, the Juglans genus, English Walnut, Juglans regia to be proper about it, is not generally considered as a timber tree. Instead, it is grown for nut production or as ornamentals. Because the tree is not usually considered a timber tree, wood from English Walnut trees is quite hard to find since it is only available in small quantities, perhaps one tree at a time, as trees are removed from orchards or from decorative locations. Most English Walnut that comes on the market will be in veneer form although it is sometimes, if highly figured, sold for gun stocks.
What Does English Walnut Cost and Where
Pricing English Walnut is almost impossible since it is so rarely found on the commercial market. Mine was given to me free of charge. If you are prepared to pay relatively high prices, I suggest monitoring Goby Walnut and Western Hardwoods out of Portland, Oregon. At this time, October 2014, they do not have any English Walnut in stock, but they do list it as a product they sometimes carry. Also, Northwest Timber in Jefferson, Oregon, south of Salem, carries English Walnut slabs, but again, they are not cheap! Another potential source, depending on your social circles, would be a tree removal or trimming contractor who might have occasion to come across the wood during on a job site. These types of contractors are good to know as they are sometimes willing to sell tree parts they would otherwise toss or sell as firewood. It can’t hurt to ask around.
About My Piece of English Walnut
My piece of English Walnut wasn’t much to look at on the outside and other than the bark inclusion it didn’t show much promise, so I was surprised as it began to turn down and into something quite attractive. The wood was quite dry and turned pretty dusty, but it cut fairly cleanly, much more clean than I usually experience with Black Walnut or Claro Walnut. The wood is slightly harder than these other two species of Walnut, but they all cluster pretty closely together, in the general hardness range of White or Red Oak. English Walnut is hard, but not punishingly so as is that case with many tropical hardwoods.
The Process and the Outcome
As the piece turned down and hollowed, nice figured in the swirling grain was revealed. The grain wasn’t at all just circular but instead undulated across the bowl. The bark inclusion was a nice feature as it adds character and uniqueness. There are also some very dark streaks and a whitish discoloration on one side as well. Overall, the blank revealed a great deal of hidden character.
The piece of English Walnut turned relatively easily, cut cleanly, and required only moderate sanding effort. I chose to finish the piece with a finishing oil, one which hardens over time after it soaks into the wood pores, in this case a natural tint of Watco Danish Oil. I didn’t want to risk losing figure or color by using a tinted oil, although I do keep those about for some other woods. The unique character of the piece has elevated it to top position and it is now one of my most favorite pieces among those that I have recently turned. If you can find some English Walnut, I certainly recommend giving it a turn today!