Claro Walnut, also known as California Walnut or French Walnut, is a rare and prized hardwood with a captivating story. Unlike its commercially grown cousin, the Eastern Black Walnut (American Walnut), Claro Walnut has never been extensively cultivated for lumber or its nuts. The nuts themselves aren't commercially viable, but the rootstock is favored for grafting English Walnuts, the variety commonly found in grocery stores.
Walnut ranchers appreciated the mature Claro Walnut trees for their shade and beauty, often planting them near their homes and along driveways. These majestic trees, some now 150 years old, have become a source for highly prized live-edge slabs. However, the practice of planting and nurturing Claro Walnuts has dwindled, making these aged trees increasingly rare.
What sets Claro Walnut apart is its exquisite beauty. Unlike the more common Eastern Black Walnut, Claro often displays captivating reddish-brown or purple hues and a mesmerizing curly grain figure. This unique combination of color and pattern makes Claro Walnut one of the most sought-after and visually stunning hardwoods in the world.