Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionDogwood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Dogwood 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 nameCornus florida
Janka hardness2,150 lbf
Average dried weight51 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned objects
Overview
Why choose Dogwood?
Dogwood is a domestic hardwood species. Grows in eastern North America. Common uses include turned objects, pulleys, mallets, archery bows, textile shuttles and golf club heads.
Scientific nameCornus florida
DistributionGrows in eastern North America
ShrinkageRadial: 7.1%, Tangential: 11.3%, Volumetric: 19.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.6
DurabilityDogwood has very little heartwood, so most of it is sapwood, which is rated non-durable to perishable.
Dogwood colour, grain, and figure
Most boards and blanks are mostly sapwood. The narrow heartwood is reddish brown.
Grain is interlocked and the texture is fine and even. The natural shine is moderate.
Working notes
Dogwood is dense and interlocked, yet it usually gives decent results with either hand tools or machines, though it can dull cutters. It takes glue and finish well and turns nicely.
Apart from the usual risks of breathing any wood dust, dogwood has not been linked to any specific health problems.
Dogwood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Dogwood
Best projects
Common uses include turned objects, pulleys, mallets, archery bows, textile shuttles and golf club heads.
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 Dogwood 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.
Dogwood FAQ
What is Dogwood best used for?
Common uses include turned objects, pulleys, mallets, archery bows, textile shuttles and golf club heads. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Dogwood 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 Dogwood?
The buying section on this page links to any Dogwood 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.