Manchurian Walnut

Scientific name: Juglans mandshurica

Overview

Manchurian Walnut is a deciduous walnut native to temperate eastern Asia. It is especially associated with northeastern China, Korea, and the Russian Far East, where it contributes valuable timber as well as nuts. Forestry references describe attractive figure, moderate weight and hardness, and straightforward machining. The name also covers a broader botanical group in some modern references: Kew accepts Juglans mandshurica and places the familiar Chinese Walnut name, Juglans cathayensis, under its typical variety.

Quick Facts

  • Common Name: Manchurian Walnut
  • Scientific Name: Juglans mandshurica
  • Family: Juglandaceae
  • Region: Asian Woods
  • Other Names: Manchurian walnut; Hu Tao Qiu (Chinese)
  • Native Range: Temperate eastern Asia, including northeastern China, Korea, and the Russian Far East; wider under inclusive taxonomic treatments
  • Tree Size: Up to about 25 m (82 ft); trunks to about 80 cm (31 in) diameter reported by Liaoning forestry authorities
  • Average Dried Weight: A reliable air-dry value was not verified; the USDA i-Tree wood-density entry of 0.44 tonne/m³ should not be treated as an equivalent air-dry lumber weight
  • Janka Hardness: A reliable species-specific value was not verified
  • Color: Attractive walnut timber; exact heartwood and sapwood shades should be checked against a documented sample
  • Grain: Generally straight according to the Liaoning forestry description
  • Texture: Described as compact, with a lustrous surface and decorative figure

Identification Characteristics

For a standing tree, identification begins with the large compound leaves, toothed leaflets, grey fissured bark, and hard, ridged nuts. Flora of China treats several formerly separate names within this species, so leaflet hairiness and nut-cluster size need to be interpreted together. For sawn wood, attractive figure and straight grain support a comparison but cannot establish the species. Retain the supplier’s botanical identification and harvest location.

Key identification traits include:

  • Large pinnate leaves with multiple toothed leaflets
  • Grey to dark grey bark with lengthwise fissures
  • Thick nut shells with prominent longitudinal ridges and pits
  • Generally straight-grained timber with an attractive surface figure
  • Documented provenance distinguishes this material from other commercial walnuts

Working Properties

The Liaoning Forestry and Grassland Administration describes Manchurian Walnut as moderately heavy and hard, easy to process, and lustrous. These qualities explain its appeal for interior furniture and decorative work. Detailed species-specific drying, glue, and fastener data were not verified for this draft. Use normal workshop checks rather than transferring Black Walnut specifications directly to this timber.

  • Machining: Reported to process readily; use sharp cutters for a clean surface
  • Planing: Follow the local grain direction, especially around knots or figure
  • Drying: Check moisture content and acclimate boards before final sizing
  • Joinery: Test glue bonds and fastener holding on representative offcuts
  • Finishing: Prepare a sample panel to compare color and sheen before finishing the project

Safety Note

Control airborne wood dust with extraction and suitable respiratory protection when cutting or sanding. Wear eye protection and clean dust from work surfaces. These are general woodworking precautions; a specific dust-sensitivity profile for Manchurian Walnut was not verified.

Common Uses

Published forestry research identifies furniture and construction uses for this timber. Decorative workshop uses should be selected according to the quality and condition of the available stock.

  • Furniture and cabinet components
  • Interior construction and woodwork
  • Decorative furniture parts selected for figure
  • Reference wood samples and teaching collections

Sustainability & Notes

Research describes Manchurian Walnut as an important timber and nut tree and documents breeding work for plantation forestry. Plantation research does not establish the origin of any individual board. Ask suppliers for species, harvest location, and sourcing documentation. Record the taxonomic treatment used, since the broad species concept includes material historically named Chinese or Japanese Walnut. A species-specific conservation category is not asserted in this draft.

Comparative Notes & Related Species

Related Guides

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

Label specimens with Juglans mandshurica, the original supplier name, and the collection locality. Keep a record of any variety determination and the reference used for identification. A specimen with both sapwood and heartwood, a prepared end-grain face, and an unfinished comparison area offers more information than color alone. Record moisture condition and finishing treatment when comparing samples.

Share Your Photos of This Species

Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?

Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.

When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.

Share Your Photos Page

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:

Donate Wood Samples

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/

Love This Species?

Enjoy learning about this wood species?

Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.

Adopt This Species

Support Forest Conservation

This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.

Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.

Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.

Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.

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:

Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.

Stay Connected

Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.

The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.

View Site Updates