Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionEnglish Holly Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
English Holly 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 nameIlex aquifolium
Janka hardness1,010 lbf
Average dried weight41 lb/ft³
Best fitInlays
Overview
Why choose English Holly?
English Holly is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Southeast Asia, northwest Africa and Europe. Common uses include inlays, furniture, turned objects, broom and brush handles, dyed black piano keys and assorted small novelty items.
Scientific nameIlex aquifolium
DistributionSoutheast Asia, northwest Africa and Europe
ShrinkageRadial: 5.4%, Tangential: 10.0%, Volumetric: 16.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.9
DurabilityNon-durable to perishable, and prone to insect attack.
English Holly colour, grain, and figure
Best-quality lumber is very uniformly pale white, and grain pattern is hardly visible. Knots are common and can cut down the usable area.
The grain is irregular and interlocked. Texture is medium to fine and uniform, with moderate natural luster.
Working notes
A great many knots and the interlocked grain can make it difficult to work. Gluing, staining and finishing go well, and it is sometimes dyed black to stand in for ebony.
Aside from the usual risks of any wood dust, no other health reactions are linked to Holly.
English Holly should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for English Holly
Best projects
Common uses include inlays, furniture, turned objects, broom and brush handles, dyed black piano keys and assorted small novelty items.
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 English Holly 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.
English Holly FAQ
What is English Holly best used for?
Common uses include inlays, furniture, turned objects, broom and brush handles, dyed black piano keys and assorted small novelty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is English Holly 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 English Holly?
The buying section on this page links to any English Holly 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.