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 fitMatch sticks
Overview
Why choose Batai?
Batai is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Southeast Asia and various Pacific/Indian islands; also grown on plantations in tropical regions worldwide. It is useful when the project calls for match sticks, light construction, boxes, crates, pallets, veneer, plywood, lightweight furniture, drawer sides, and interior millwork
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 nameFalcataria falcata (formerly placed in genera Albizia and Paraserianthes, under specific names of both falcata and moluccana; see notes below)
DistributionSoutheast Asia and various Pacific/Indian islands; also grown on plantations in tropical regions worldwide
ShrinkageRadial: 2.8%, Tangential: 5.7% · Volumetric: 9.1%, T/R Ratio: 2.0
DurabilityPerishable; poor resistance to decay or insect attack.
Batai colour, grain, and figure
Expect younger planation-grown wood tends to be very pale in color, with only a slight reddish or brownish cast and very little differentiation between heartwood and softwood. Older and/or wild trees can have a slightly more pronounced reddish brown heartwood that has more contrast with the lighter sapwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain ranges from straight to interlocked and can vary depending on the source (and if each plantation has selectively bred stock with straighter grain). Overall, the wood texture can be rather coarse, but uniform, and with good natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though planing and surfacing may result in fuzzy surfaces on account of its low density and interlocked grain. Batai dulls cutters much faster than would be anticipated of a wood with such a low density.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, batai has been reported to cause eye irritation, sneezing, and in at least one instance, 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
Match sticks, light construction, boxes, crates, pallets, veneer, plywood, lightweight furniture, drawer sides, and interior millwork
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?
Batai is best considered for match sticks, light construction, boxes, crates, pallets, veneer, plywood, lightweight furniture, drawer sides, and interior millwork. 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?
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.