Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBlack Tupelo Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Black Tupelo 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 nameNyssa sylvatica
Janka hardness800 lbf
Average dried weight34 lb/ft³
Best fitUtility lumber
Overview
Why choose Black Tupelo?
Black Tupelo is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is Eastern North America. Used for utility lumber, boxes, crates, furniture and carving.
Scientific nameNyssa sylvatica
DistributionEastern North America
ShrinkageRadial: 5.1%, Tangential: 8.7%, Volumetric: 14.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.7
DurabilityThe wood is non-durable to perishable, and insects can attack it.
Black Tupelo colour, grain, and figure
A very wide band of sapwood is usually pale yellow, sometimes with a greyish cast. The narrower heartwood runs from medium brown to grey.
The grain is interlocked and the texture is fine.
Working notes
Tupelo works easily by hand or by machine, but it tends to warp during drying and moves a lot in use. It power-carves well with little fuzz.
Apart from the usual hazards of wood dust, no other health effects are known for Black Tupelo.
Black Tupelo should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Black Tupelo
Best projects
Used for utility lumber, boxes, crates, furniture and carving.
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 Tupelo 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 Tupelo FAQ
What is Black Tupelo best used for?
Used for utility lumber, boxes, crates, furniture and carving. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Black Tupelo 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 Tupelo?
The buying section on this page links to any Black Tupelo 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.