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 fitFurniture
Overview
Why choose Black Siris?
Black Siris is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Native to central and southern Asia; also introduced to East Africa. It is useful when the project calls for furniture, veneer, tool handles and other turned objects
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 nameAlbizia odoratissima
DistributionNative to central and southern Asia; also introduced to East Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 4.0%, Tangential: 8.1%, Volumetric: 12.3%, T/R Ratio: 2.0 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated as non-durable; dry wood is reported to be resistant to termites.
Black Siris colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is medium to dark reddish brown, frequently with bands of lighter and /or darker colored wood. Contrasting sapwood is pale yellow.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is usually interlocked. With a uniform coarse texture and good natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, moderately easy to work, though interlocked grain can cause tearout during surfacing operations. Has a moderate blunting effect on cutters.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, black siris has been reported to cause respiratory irritation.
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
Furniture, veneer, tool handles and other turned objects
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?
Black Siris is best considered for furniture, veneer, tool handles and other turned objects. 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?
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.