View Messages

Return to All About Black Walnut

Black Walnut Sapwood

[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]
From: Michael Maule City: Emmaus, PA
I've heard that if cut trees are allowed to sit for a year or so some of the sapwood will darken/turn to heartwood. Is there any truth to this? If so is it worth waiting or is it more detrimental to allow logs to sit?
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Hi Michael: The sapwood will "oxidize" ever so slightly when exposed to air, but it WILL NOT darken or turn to the color of the dark chocolate heartwood. Therefore, it is not worth waiting in my honest opinion. Veneer mills often soak veneer walnut logs in hot water tanks for 24 hours to darken the sapwood.
[Post a Follow Up] [Post to this category]