Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBlack Siris Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Black Siris 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 nameAlbizia odoratissima
Janka hardness1,630 lbf
Average dried weight47.4 lb/ft³
Best fitTool handles
Overview
Why choose Black Siris?
Black Siris is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Central and southern Asia, plus East Africa where it has been introduced. Common uses include tool handles, veneer, furniture and turned work.
Scientific nameAlbizia odoratissima
DistributionCentral and southern Asia, plus East Africa where it has been introduced
ShrinkageRadial: 4.0%, Tangential: 8.1%, Volumetric: 12.3%, T/R Ratio: 2.0 More images | Identification
DurabilityDecay resistance is poor, though dry wood is said to resist termites.
Black Siris colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood is a medium to deep reddish brown, often banded with lighter or darker wood. The pale yellow sapwood contrasts with it.
The grain is usually interlocked. The texture is coarse and even, with a good natural shine.
Working notes
It is moderately easy to work, but interlocked grain can tear out when surfacing. It blunts cutters to a moderate degree.
Serious reactions are unusual, but black siris is reported to irritate the airways.
Black Siris should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Black Siris
Best projects
Common uses include tool handles, veneer, furniture and turned work.
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 Black Siris 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.
Black Siris FAQ
What is Black Siris best used for?
Common uses include tool handles, veneer, furniture and turned work. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Black Siris 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 Black Siris?
The buying section on this page links to any Black Siris 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.