Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionEspave Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Espave 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 nameAnacardium excelsum
Janka hardness470 lbf
Average dried weight31.2 lb/ft³
Best fitPlywood
Overview
Why choose Espave?
Espave is an imported specialty hardwood. Grows in Central and South America, ranging from Costa Rica to Ecuador. Used for plywood, veneer, furniture, utility lumber, boxes and crates.
Scientific nameAnacardium excelsum
DistributionGrows in Central and South America, ranging from Costa Rica to Ecuador
ShrinkageRadial: 2.8%, Tangential: 5.3%, Volumetric: 8.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.9 More images | Identification
DurabilityDecay resistance is moderate to poor, and insect resistance is poor.
Espave colour, grain, and figure
Golden brown heartwood, at times tinted yellow or green, that turns reddish brown as it ages. The wide, lighter sapwood shades from gray into light pink.
Grain is interlocked. The texture is medium to coarse, with a good natural shine.
Working notes
Cutting is generally easy, but low density and interlocked grain can cause tearout or fuzzy surfaces when planing and sanding. Shrinkage is low, yet checking and warping can still happen if it is not dried carefully at the start.
Serious reactions are uncommon, but espave has caused reports of skin and airway irritation and asthma-like symptoms.
Espave should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Espave
Best projects
Used for plywood, veneer, furniture, utility lumber, boxes and crates.
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 Espave 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.
Espave FAQ
What is Espave best used for?
Used for plywood, veneer, furniture, utility lumber, boxes and crates. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Espave 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 Espave?
The buying section on this page links to any Espave 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.