Despite higher prices, there’s strong demand for black walnut (Juglans nigra). Sales are neck and neck with white oak and hard maple, according to suppliers interviewed by Woodshop News.
“Walnut has continued to be a top mover for us. It’s in the top three every year, every quarter,” says Clint Dillon of Steve Wall Lumber in Mayodan, N.C. “We have seen a bigger increase in customers wanting superior walnut, which is just a heavier color grade and has a minimal amount of sapwood. That’s really being driven by our customers doing custom tables and custom countertops.”
“The regular straight-line (walnut) lumber is as hot as ever and people are using it for everything from furniture to countertops,” says Josh Nozick of FreeState Timbers in Timonium, Md.
“Live edge, generally, I think is now on the decline. A friend of ours runs a sawmill and produces live edge material, and he’s seen the live edge on the decline as well. Of the live edge, walnut is still one of the most popular species.”
Nozick adds that while availability of FAS lumber is not an issue, pricing keeps increasing, depending on length and thickness. He says wholesalers are charging extra for longer, wider boards where they haven’t in the past.
“The FAS retail is running anywhere from $14 to $16 per board foot for 4/4 through 8/4. Availability of 10/4, 12/4 and 16/4 is still good when you get into those heavier cuts, there could be a retail of anywhere from $17 to $20 per board foot. I’ve even seen it as high as $22 with somebody selling 16/4.
“The one issue in terms of pricing that we’re going to have to now start dealing with is several of the large mid-Atlantic/Northeast mills and concentration yards, as of April, are now starting to charge even more for width and length. So, it used to be if I ordered 200 feet of random width or length the price was ‘X’, and if I needed 10-footers or all 12-footers it was still the same price. Now it’s going to be an upcharge if I need all twelves.”
Doug White of Doug White Hardwoods in Marissa, Ill., sees similar pricing trends with black walnut, which he attributes to inflation and demand.
“Pricing is very high, just like (with) white oak. They’re both hot items and they’re both going up in price,” says White. “We’ve been selling more walnut this year than we have for a while.”
Article Written by Jennifer Hicks of Wood Shop News
Original Link to Article
https://www.woodshopnews.com/news/walnut-remains-as-a-top-seller