Home / Wood Compare / Black Walnut vs European Larch
Professional Comparison · Source-attributed engineering data · Updated 19 July 2026
Black Walnut VS European Larch
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
🥇
Black Walnut
69/100 Library Score
🪵Hardwood💧Moisture Stable
- Better dimensional stability (Excellent vs Good)
- Harder wear surface (Janka 1010 vs 740 lbf)
- Stronger in bending (MOR 101.0 vs 90.0 MPa)
- Better flame-spread class (Class B vs Class C)
🥈
European Larch
44/100 Library Score
🌲Softwood💧Moisture Stable
- Close second across most categories
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Black WalnutEuropean Larch
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Black Walnut |
| Hardness | Black Walnut |
| Strength (MOR) | Black Walnut |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Tie |
| Flame spread | Black Walnut |
| Machining ease | European Larch |
| Lightness | Tie |
Engineering data
| Property | Black Walnut | European Larch |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 1010WD lbf | 740WD lbf |
| Density | 0.55FPL g/cm³ | 0.55WD g/cm³ |
| MOE | 11.6FPL GPa | 11.8WD GPa |
| MOR | 101.0FPL MPa | 90.0WD MPa |
| Durability | Class 3 Moderately Durable | Class 3 Moderately Durable |
| Stability | Excellent | Good |
| Fire (E84) | Class B indicative | Class C indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 5.5WD % | 4.2WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 7.8WD % | 8.2WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.42 | 1.95 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor decking / pergola | 🥇 Black Walnut | ★★★★☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 Black Walnut | ★★★★☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Black Walnut | ★★★☆☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Black Walnut | ★★★★☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Black Walnut | ★★★☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Black Walnut
Advantages relative to European Larch
- Janka is 1,010 lbf vs 740 lbf, about 36% harder
- Fire (E84) is Class B vs Class C — one class better
Limitations relative to European Larch
- Radial shrinkage 5.5% vs 4.2% — more radial movement
European Larch
Advantages relative to Black Walnut
- Radial shrinkage 4.2% vs 5.5% — less radial movement
Limitations relative to Black Walnut
- Janka is 740 lbf vs 1,010 lbf
- Fire (E84) is Class C vs Class B — one class lower
Recommendation
Choose Black Walnut if…
- The application is interior — furniture, cabinetry, doors, gunstocks
- Reaction-to-fire class matters (Class B vs C)
Choose European Larch if…
- The application is exterior cladding, boat/ship building, or fencing
- Radial movement is the critical dimension in the assembly
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Black Walnut or European Larch?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 3, Moderately Durable). Outdoors, movement will not separate them either — 7.8% against 8.2% tangential. The practical difference is weight: European Larch runs 0.55 g/cm³ against 0.55, so Black Walnut is the easier fix overhead and the cheaper one to freight.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Black Walnut — outdoor performance combines decay durability with dimensional stability, and it leads on that combination.
Is Black Walnut harder than European Larch?
Yes — Janka 1010 lbf vs 740 lbf.
How we score. Scores shown are percentile ranks within our library, weighted towards durability and dimensional stability. They shortlist; they do not decide. Full weighting and what it excludes.