Let the slabs air-dry until the wood is dried to less than 20% moisture content. This will take some time (years) so be patient.
Species such as maple and walnut dry at an intermediate rate, ie a 1” walnut board air dried in the south in the summer time will dry in about 120 days, and species such as oak, mesquite, and hickory dry very slowly (ie 1” per year). It is best to store lumber “in the tree” until you are ready to mill it.
Optimal walnut moisture content for postharvest product life is approximately 8% on a wet weight basis. Each percentage point of moisture lost below 8% results in a loss of 21.5 pounds per ton of nuts sold, and overdried nuts are brittle and are subject to damage during handling.
The kernel of a young, only torn walnut has a light color, after lying for several days, the kernel it darkens a little. This is a natural and normal process. After drying, the kernel takes on its permanent color.
Go into the kiln and use a moisture meter with needles and test 20 pieces. If you see wetter readings, then believe them and continue equalizing (which prevents over-drying). For 8/4 walnut, 45 days is about the shortest you can dry from green to 7% MC. Of course, the earlier part of the schedule is the most critical.
Though walnuts can be eaten as it is by removing the outer shell, the best way to have them is by soaking overnight. Just soak 2-4 walnut pieces overnight in a cup of water and have them first thing in the morning. Soaking walnuts helps in reducing the bad cholesterol levels in the body.
Unlike cherry, maple, and oak (which all darken in color as they age), walnut wood will actually lighten slightly over time.
Special Walnut by Minwax (also available here!) is a lighter, brown walnut color. I found it to be similar to Early American but with more muted brown tones and no red tones. I've seen it used on flooring and it's another very versatile stain color.
Grade: First and Seconds (FAS)
This is the highest grade, and NHLA states for all lumber the following: 83.3% clear of defect on both faces.
The best finish for walnut is a clear one. Several coats of Danish oil provide clarity. For protection, add a compatible clear topcoat.
Softwood that is split and stacked in a dry place takes 4-6 summer months to dry to an acceptable moisture level. Hardwoods take at least 12 months to dry after being split and stacked. Stack the wood on lumber rails or pallets to get it up off the moist ground.
New walnut has a consistent dark-brown color but as it gets older, two changes occur. 1: Unlike maple and cherry, it gets lighter. 2: A rich honey color starts to come through the grain.
Typically speaking, Walnut firewood requires 6-months to 24-months to season. It can take over a year or more for most walnut wood firewood to dry out completely.
Pros: Walnut is a very strong and stable wood that can take intricate carving. The color can be beautiful. Cons: Some may not like the variation from dark to light that's sometimes found on a single wide board. Walnut is also one of the more costly woods.
The Black Walnut is one of the most expensive and lucrative trees to sell, thanks to its high-quality dark wood. The tree ranges from $5- $10 per board foot, although it can cost more depending on other factors. In most cases, your 20-inch tree can fetch you $700- $800.
Woods such as oak, mahogany and walnut are characterized as having “open grain” because the wood pores are large. In contrast, “closed grain” woods like hard maple, cherry, poplar and beech have smaller pores. You don't have to fill the pores of any wood before applying a finish.
Freshly sawn Walnut is a greenish-brown color heartwood with nearly white sapwood. This is a stark contrast for many who desire the appearance of all heartwood. The removal of the sapwood can be costly as the perimeter of the log contains the clearer, and hence more valuable lumber.
General Finishes EF Sanding Sealer is a high quality acrylic waterborne sanding sealer that builds fast and makes sanding smooth and easy. For wood with large, open grain, such as walnut or mahogany, sanding sealer is especially handy as a final fill after most of the grain has been evened out with grain filler.
Just about every popular wood is described as “warp-resistant.” Even among the most common species for woodworking, black walnut is known as a particularly sturdy wood that resists warping through a long lifetime of use.
Walnut wood offers rich, brown colors that range from light to dark brown. The sapwood (outer part of the tree log) is pale yellow to white and the heartwood (center of the tree log) has brown shades that vary from light brown to dark chocolate brown with some dark brown streaks.
Direct exposure to sunlight over a long time will change the coloring chemicals of walnut and cause the reduction of their dark brown color. Also, the level of exposure will increase the speed of the color shift from dark to pale. However, walnut furniture fades like mad in sunlight.
For example, the elements frequently darken pale wood and brighten dark wood, so years of sun exposure will typically lighten walnut wood furniture. While some people stain walnut wood to preserve the darker hue in perpetuity, it is commonly clear-coated or oiled.