6/4 Black Walnut Rough Sawn Lumber
Direct Kingma listing for African Walnut; inventory, lengths, and widths can rotate by variant.
View optionAfrican Walnut Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
African Walnut is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameLovoa trichilioides
Janka hardness940 lbf
Average dried weight34 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned objects
Overview
Why choose African Walnut?
African Walnut is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Tropical West Africa. Common uses include turned objects, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, plywood and veneer.
Scientific nameLovoa trichilioides
DistributionTropical West Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 3.7%, Tangential: 5.9%, Volumetric: 10.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.6
DurabilityModerately durable against decay. The heartwood resists powder post beetles but is prone to termites.
African Walnut colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood tones span a golden yellow and a reddish brown, sometimes with veins and streaks of a darker shade. It darkens with light exposure and age.
Slight interlock is usual, though the grain is sometimes straight. The texture is even and medium, with a high natural sheen.
Working notes
It is generally easy to work by hand or machine, but interlocked grain needs care to prevent tearout. It also turns nicely and accepts glue and finish well.
Serious reactions are rare, but African walnut is said to irritate the skin, eyes and airways, along with other systemic effects.
African Walnut should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for African Walnut
Best projects
Common uses include turned objects, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, plywood and veneer.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying African Walnut from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
8/4 Black Walnut Rough Sawn Lumber
Direct Kingma listing for African Walnut; inventory, lengths, and widths can rotate by variant.
View option8/4 Black Walnut Veneer Grade Rough Sawn Lumber
Direct Kingma listing for African Walnut; inventory, lengths, and widths can rotate by variant.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
African Walnut FAQ
What is African Walnut best used for?
Common uses include turned objects, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, plywood and veneer. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is African Walnut beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell African Walnut?
The buying section on this page links to any African Walnut Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.