Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionCamatillo Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Camatillo 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 nameDalbergia congestiflora
Janka hardness3,050 lbf
Average dried weight72.9 lb/ft³
Best fitOther small turned or specialty items
Overview
Why choose Camatillo?
Camatillo is a domestic hardwood species. Grows in Mexico. Common uses include other small turned or specialty items, tool handles, musical instruments, veneers and inlays.
Scientific nameDalbergia congestiflora
DistributionGrows in Mexico
ShrinkageSHRINKAGE These values represent the percentage change in radial and tangential faces of the wood—as well as the total (volumetric) shrinkage—as the moisture content goes from green (maximum) down to oven-dry (minimum), approximating the wood's stability with changes in humidity.
DurabilityCamatillo has not been studied directly, but it is assumed to match its close Dalbergia relatives, which are very durable against decay and termites.
Camatillo colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood is dark, in purplish or reddish brown, marked by black streaks. The pale yellow sapwood has a sharp edge against it.
Grain is mostly straight or slightly interlocked. Texture is fine and even, and the natural shine is high.
Working notes
High density makes it difficult to work. It blunts cutters moderately, and planing can cause tearout where the grain is interlocked.
Serious reactions are uncommon, but camatillo has caused reports of skin irritation.
Camatillo should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Camatillo
Best projects
Common uses include other small turned or specialty items, tool handles, musical instruments, veneers and inlays.
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 Camatillo 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.
Camatillo FAQ
What is Camatillo best used for?
Common uses include other small turned or specialty items, tool handles, musical instruments, veneers and inlays. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Camatillo 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 Camatillo?
The buying section on this page links to any Camatillo 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.