Ailanthus Wood Guide

Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species

Ailanthus 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 nameAilanthus altissima
Janka hardness1,420 lbf
Average dried weight37.1 lb/ft³
Best fitCabinetry
Ailanthus wood grain sample showing typical colour and figure
Ailanthus wood grain reference for colour, texture, and figure comparison.

Overview

Why choose Ailanthus?

Ailanthus is a domestic hardwood species associated with Native to China; widely naturalized worldwide. It is useful when the project calls for cabinetry, turned objects, and paper (pulpwood)

For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.

Scientific nameAilanthus altissima
DistributionNative to China; widely naturalized worldwide
ShrinkageRadial: 6.1%, Tangential: 10.8%, Volumetric: 17.1%, T/R Ratio: 1.8 More images | Identification
DurabilityNo data available; reported to have good insect resistance.

Ailanthus colour, grain, and figure

Expect ranges from a pale yellow to light brown, sometimes with brighter yellowish or olive-hued streaks. Overall appearance is similar to ash .

In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: has an open, porous texture and a moderate natural luster.

Ailanthus wood face grain showing colour, grain, and texture
Ailanthus face grain reference.
Ailanthus wood grain close-up for identification and project planning
Ailanthus secondary identification reference.

Working notes

In the shop, easy to work with hand and machine tools. Turns, glues, stains, and finishes well.

Ailanthus has been reported to cause skin irritation.

Ailanthus should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.

Best uses for Ailanthus

Best projects

Cabinetry, turned objects, and paper (pulpwood)

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 Ailanthus 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.

Kingma option

Maple lumber collection

Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.

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Kingma option

Live edge slabs

Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.

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Similar 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.

Ailanthus FAQ

What is Ailanthus best used for?

Ailanthus is best considered for cabinetry, turned objects, and paper (pulpwood). Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.

Is Ailanthus 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 Ailanthus?

Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.