Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionElgon Olive Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Elgon Olive 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 nameOlea welwitschii
Janka hardness1,660 lbf
Average dried weight48.0 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Elgon Olive?
Elgon Olive is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Sub-Saharan Africa, reaching south to Mozambique. Common uses include veneer, turned objects, small specialty items and high-end furniture.
Scientific nameOlea welwitschii
DistributionSub-Saharan Africa, reaching south to Mozambique
ShrinkageRadial: ~2%, Tangential: ~4%, Volumetric: ~6%, T/R Ratio: ~2 More images | Identification
DurabilityDecay resistance is moderate to good.
Elgon Olive colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood is typically yellow with a light reddish-brown tone, crossed by darker streaks and veins that run brown through black. The yellowish sapwood usually has a sharp boundary with the heartwood, though the line is harder to see when the heartwood has no streaking.
Grain may run straight, interlocked or wild. The texture is fine and uniform with a moderate natural luster.
Working notes
It is fairly easy to work, although wild or interlocked grain can tear out when surfacing. It is a little more stable than other Olea species, but still moves a fair amount in use.
Serious reactions are unusual, but olive is reported to act as a sensitizer.
Elgon Olive should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Elgon Olive
Best projects
Common uses include veneer, turned objects, small specialty items and high-end furniture.
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 Elgon Olive 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.
Elgon Olive FAQ
What is Elgon Olive best used for?
Common uses include veneer, turned objects, small specialty items and high-end furniture. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Elgon Olive 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 Elgon Olive?
The buying section on this page links to any Elgon Olive 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.