Queensland Walnut
Scientific name: Endiandra palmerstonii
Overview
Queensland Walnut is an attractive Australian hardwood native to the tropical rainforests of northeastern Queensland. Despite its name, it is not a true walnut but is valued for its rich brown color and attractive grain that often resembles traditional walnut species.
The wood has long been used in furniture making and decorative woodworking due to its warm color, fine texture, and smooth finishing qualities. Queensland Walnut is considered a premium Australian furniture timber and is prized by woodworkers for its beauty and workability.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Queensland Walnut
- Scientific Name: Endiandra palmerstonii
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Australia – Queensland rainforests)
- Tree Size: 60–100 ft tall, 2–3 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 34 lbs/ft³ (545 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 850 lbf
- Color: Medium brown to dark brown, sometimes with a slight olive tone
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Queensland Walnut typically displays a rich medium to dark brown heartwood that may show subtle variations in tone. The grain is usually straight but can occasionally be slightly interlocked, producing a gentle figure. The wood has a fine to medium texture and develops a pleasant natural luster when finished.
Key identification traits include:
- Medium to dark brown heartwood
- Straight or slightly interlocked grain
- Fine to medium texture
- Smooth natural luster
Working Properties
Queensland Walnut is generally considered easy to work and machines well with both hand and power tools. The wood sands smoothly and takes finishes well, making it popular for furniture and cabinetry.
- Machines cleanly with sharp tools
- Cuts and sands easily
- Gluing and finishing properties are excellent
- Produces smooth finished surfaces
Safety Note
Dust from Queensland Walnut may cause irritation in some individuals. As with most hardwoods, proper dust collection and protective equipment are recommended when working with the wood.
Common Uses
Queensland Walnut is commonly used in fine woodworking and furniture making due to its attractive appearance and smooth finishing qualities.
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior paneling
- Turned objects
- Decorative woodworking
- Carving
Sustainability & Notes
Queensland Walnut grows naturally in the rainforests of northeastern Australia. Forestry management practices aim to balance harvesting with conservation of rainforest ecosystems where the species occurs.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Tasmanian Myrtle – Another Australian furniture wood with reddish tones and fine texture.
Hawaiian Koa – A Pacific hardwood with more dramatic grain figure.
Queensland Maple – A lighter-colored Australian furniture wood used in cabinetry and interior woodworking.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Queensland Walnut’s straight grain and smooth texture make it a good reference example for medium-textured hardwoods.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability
Proper drying ensures stable performance in furniture woods like Queensland Walnut.
How to Store Exotic Wood Samples
Keeping samples in controlled humidity helps preserve the wood’s natural color and structure.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Queensland Walnut is appreciated by collectors for its warm brown color and subtle grain pattern. Samples often resemble traditional walnut species, making it an interesting addition to wood collections featuring decorative furniture timbers.
Share Your Photos of This Species
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Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• Gorilla All Purpose Wood Filler, Natural Finish (16 oz) for filling cracks, holes, gouges, and imperfections before sanding, staining, or painting woodworking projects
https://amzn.to/3R3eCCg
• DEWALT DPG82 Concealer Anti-Fog Safety Goggles for protecting your eyes from sawdust, wood chips, and flying debris during cutting, sanding, and routing
https://amzn.to/4uTlqQZ
• WORKPRO Folding Roller Stand with Adjustable Height for supporting long boards, plywood, and lumber during table saw, miter saw, and woodworking operations
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