Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionCandlenut Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Candlenut 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 nameAleurites moluccanus
Janka hardness340 lbf
Average dried weight24.5 lb/ft³
Best fitPlywood
Overview
Why choose Candlenut?
Candlenut is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Primarily Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands; also found throughout tropical regions worldwide. It is useful when the project calls for plywood, utility lumber, interior woodwork, paneling, and kitchen utensils
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameAleurites moluccanus
DistributionPrimarily Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands; also found throughout tropical regions worldwide
ShrinkageRadial: ~3%, Tangential: ~6%, Volumetric: ~9%, T/R Ratio: ~2 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated as non-durable to perishable; poor insect resistance.
Candlenut colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is light brown, with no clear distinction between sapwood and heartwood. Gray or bluish staining is also common.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight, with a uniform, coarse texture.
Working notes
In the shop, generally easy to work, though as is the case with very soft woods, care must be taken not to dent or damage it during handling. Also, blue fungal staining can occur if not dried properly.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, the sap of candlenut has been reported to cause skin irritation, though it is unclear if the same reaction occurs in the dried wood.
Candlenut should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Candlenut
Best projects
Plywood, utility lumber, interior woodwork, paneling, and kitchen utensils
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 Candlenut 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.
Candlenut FAQ
What is Candlenut best used for?
Candlenut is best considered for plywood, utility lumber, interior woodwork, paneling, and kitchen utensils. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Candlenut 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 Candlenut?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.