Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBosse Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Bosse 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 nameLeplaea cedrata (formerly Guarea cedrata)
Janka hardness940 lbf
Average dried weight37 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned objects
Overview
Why choose Bosse?
Bosse is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is West and Central Africa. Common uses include turned objects, boatbuilding, flooring, inlay, cabinetry, furniture and veneer.
Scientific nameLeplaea cedrata (formerly Guarea cedrata)
DistributionWest and Central Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 4.4%, Tangential: 6.7%, Volumetric: 11.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.5 More images | Identification
DurabilityDecay resistance in the heartwood runs from moderate to very high.
Bosse colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood starts as a pale pinkish brown and deepens with age to a golden to medium brown. The sapwood is pale yellowish with a clear boundary.
Grain varies widely: straight, interlocked or wavy, or any mix of these. Veneer sheets show a broad range of patterns too. Texture is fine to medium, and the natural luster is good.
Working notes
Results depend on the grain. Interlocked or quartersawn boards can be tricky to plane, and tearout is common. The wood contains silica, so cutting edges dull faster.
Serious reactions are rare, but bosse is reported as a sensitizer.
Bosse should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Bosse
Best projects
Common uses include turned objects, boatbuilding, flooring, inlay, cabinetry, furniture and veneer.
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 Bosse 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.
Bosse FAQ
What is Bosse best used for?
Common uses include turned objects, boatbuilding, flooring, inlay, cabinetry, furniture and veneer. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Bosse 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 Bosse?
The buying section on this page links to any Bosse 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.