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Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBuckthorn Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Buckthorn 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 nameRhamnus spp.
Janka hardness1,040 lbf
Average dried weight38 lb/ft³
Best fitOther small specialty items
Overview
Why choose Buckthorn?
Buckthorn is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Widespread in northern Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. Common uses include other small specialty items, carvings, turned objects and posts.
Scientific nameRhamnus spp.
DistributionWidespread in northern Africa, Asia, North America and Europe
ShrinkageRadial: 3.2%, Tangential: 4.6%, Volumetric: 7.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.4
Buckthorn colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood is a yellow-orange, at times streaked with deeper red or brown. The sapwood is pale and off-white, or straw-coloured.
The grain is tight and the texture is fine and uniform. Natural luster is moderate.
Working notes
Buckthorn is easy to work, though serious end-checking can happen if it is not dried properly. It behaves a lot like Cherry, and turning, gluing and finishing all go nicely.
Serious reactions are rare, but the sap of buckthorn is reported to irritate the skin.
Buckthorn should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Buckthorn
Best projects
Common uses include other small specialty items, carvings, turned objects and posts.
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 Buckthorn 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.
Buckthorn FAQ
What is Buckthorn best used for?
Common uses include other small specialty items, carvings, turned objects and posts. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Buckthorn 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 Buckthorn?
The buying section on this page links to any Buckthorn 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.