Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBatai Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Batai 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 nameFalcataria falcata (formerly placed in genera Albizia and Paraserianthes, under specific names of both falcata and moluccana; see notes below)
Janka hardness420 lbf
Average dried weight23.3 lb/ft³
Best fitInterior millwork
Overview
Why choose Batai?
Batai is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Southeast Asia and several Pacific and Indian islands; also plantation-grown across the tropics. Common uses include interior millwork, drawer sides, lightweight furniture, plywood, veneer, pallets, crates, boxes, light construction and matchsticks.
Scientific nameFalcataria falcata (formerly placed in genera Albizia and Paraserianthes, under specific names of both falcata and moluccana; see notes below)
DistributionSoutheast Asia and several Pacific and Indian islands; also plantation-grown across the tropics
ShrinkageRadial: 2.8%, Tangential: 5.7% · Volumetric: 9.1%, T/R Ratio: 2.0
DurabilityThe wood is perishable and resists neither decay nor insects well.
Batai colour, grain, and figure
Young plantation wood is very pale, carrying just a faint reddish or brownish tint and almost no contrast between heartwood and sapwood. Trees that are older or wild may have somewhat more reddish brown heartwood that stands out more against the lighter sapwood.
Grain varies from straight to interlocked depending on the source, including whether a plantation has bred its stock for straighter grain. Overall the texture is fairly coarse but even, with a good natural shine.
Working notes
Cutting by hand or machine is generally easy, but its light weight and interlocked grain can leave fuzzy surfaces after planing or surfacing. Cutters wear far faster on batai than you would expect from such a light wood.
Serious reactions are uncommon, but batai has caused reports of eye irritation and sneezing. At least once it has led to occupational asthma.
Batai should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Batai
Best projects
Common uses include interior millwork, drawer sides, lightweight furniture, plywood, veneer, pallets, crates, boxes, light construction and matchsticks.
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 Batai 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.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
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.
Batai FAQ
What is Batai best used for?
Common uses include interior millwork, drawer sides, lightweight furniture, plywood, veneer, pallets, crates, boxes, light construction and matchsticks. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Batai 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 Batai?
The buying section on this page links to any Batai 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.