Replies

1. 
   saschafer | Nov 12, 2007 11:11pm | #1

   Claro walnut is the lumber industry's trade name for two closely related species (sometimes considered subspecies of a single parent species) of walnut, both native to California. The northern (sub)species is Northern California Walnut (Juglans hindsii), and the southern is, naturally, Southern California Walnut (Juglans californica).

   Northern California Walnut is the one that you're most likely to encounter. While it is native to only a very small area of California near San Francisco, and is possibly endangered in its native range, it has been planted widely throughout the West because it's used as the rootstock to which commercial English Walnut (Juglans regia) trees are grafted. Claro walnut lumber comes from old orchard trees that are removed when they are no longer productive. Occasionally, the rootstock will "take over" and produce a full-size hindsii tree. We had one of those along our back fence (which abutted a walnut orchard) when I was growing up in California. You can also sometimes get boards that include the graft line between the hindsii and regia. To further confuse things, wood from regia is called Circassian walnut, and is noticeably lighter in color.

   -Steve

    

   
   

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   Edited 11/12/2007 3:14 pm ET by saschafer

1. 
   ojp | Nov 15, 2007 01:20am | #3

   Thanks for your help, ojp

2. 
   ErnieConover | Nov 15, 2007 12:40am | #2

   There is not much I can add to my fellow Ohioans answer. He has it chapter and verse. Working properties of Claro are wonderful and it is favored for gun stocks.

   Regards,
   ERC

1. 
   ojp | Nov 15, 2007 01:21am | #4

   Thanks for yout help.  ojp