Cedar lumber collection
Closest Kingma softwood/outdoor path when an exact listing is not available.
View optionCalifornia Red Fir Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Softwood lumber species
California Red Fir 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 nameAbies magnifica
Janka hardness500 lbf
Average dried weight27 lb/ft³
Best fitOther general utility purposes
Overview
Why choose California Red Fir?
California Red Fir is a softwood lumber species. Mainly the Sierra Nevada range of California, with some in southwestern Oregon. Used for other general utility purposes, plywood, pulpwood for paper and construction lumber.
Scientific nameAbies magnifica
DistributionMainly the Sierra Nevada range of California, with some in southwestern Oregon
ShrinkageRadial: 4.5%, Tangential: 7.9%, Volumetric: 11.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.8 More images | Identification
DurabilityDecay resistance is poor, from non-durable to perishable, and the wood offers little defence against insects.
California Red Fir colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is typically white to reddish brown. The pale sapwood blends in and is not clearly set apart from it.
The grain is straight and the texture is uniform and medium-coarse.
Working notes
Hand and machine tools cut it easily in general, although drying defects may already be present or may develop during drying. It takes glue, stain and finish well.
Reports link firs in the Abies genus to skin irritation, though serious reactions are rare.
California Red Fir should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for California Red Fir
Best projects
Used for other general utility purposes, plywood, pulpwood for paper and construction lumber.
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 California Red Fir 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.
White Oak lumber collection
A harder outdoor-aware hardwood alternative when the project calls for durability rather than softwood character.
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.
California Red Fir FAQ
What is California Red Fir best used for?
Used for other general utility purposes, plywood, pulpwood for paper and construction lumber. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is California Red Fir 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 California Red Fir?
The buying section on this page links to any California Red Fir 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.