Collection: New Guinea Walnut

Appearance of New Guinea Walnut

The heartwood of New Guinea walnut is a grey-brown colour, often with an orange cast and streaks of darker brown or black. Its sapwood, which can grow up to 100 millimetres wide, is distinctly cream-coloured, providing a sharp contrast to the heartwood. The timber has a moderately coarse but even texture, with a grain that is often interlocked. The waviness of the grain can produce a visually appealing broken striped figure, particularly on quarter-sawn surfaces.

Applications of New Guinea Walnut

New Guinea walnut is predominantly used in decorative applications, such as veneers for furniture and paneling. It is also prized for its suitability in turning, carving, and other intricate woodworking projects. Its aesthetic qualities make it an excellent choice for high-end furnishings and architectural details.

Workability of New Guinea Walnut

New Guinea walnut works well with both hand and machine tools, but care is needed due to its interlocked grain, which can cause tear-out. Additionally, the timber can have a blunting effect on cutting edges, so tools should be kept sharp to achieve a smooth finish. The wood nails and screws effectively, glues well, and accepts stains and polishes to a satisfactory finish. The timber seasons readily but requires careful handling during the drying process. If hurried, there is a risk of checking, distortion, or warping, particularly in thinner sizes.

Durability of New Guinea Walnut

New Guinea walnut is classified as moderately durable. While it is resistant to termites, it is susceptible to marine borers and resistant to preservative treatments. As a result, its use is typically restricted to interior applications or areas not exposed to harsh environments.

Origin and Availability of New Guinea Walnut

New Guinea walnut is primarily sourced from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Due to limited exports, commercial availability in Australia and other regions is sporadic, often confined to small quantities of decorative veneer or specialty wood products.

Conclusion

New Guinea walnut’s attractive figure, combined with its workability, makes it an ideal choice for decorative and fine woodworking projects, although its moderate durability and limited availability may restrict its use to specialized applications.