Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionGinkgo Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Ginkgo 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 nameGinkgo biloba
Janka hardness750 lbf
Average dried weight28.9 lb/ft³
Best fitCarvings
Overview
Why choose Ginkgo?
Ginkgo is a domestic hardwood species associated with Native to China, though now widely cultivated in temperate regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It is useful when the project calls for carvings, cutting boards, furniture, and turned objects
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 nameGinkgo biloba
DistributionNative to China, though now widely cultivated in temperate regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere
ShrinkageNo data available; reported to have low shrinkage rates and good stability in service More images | Identification
DurabilityNo official data is available, though it is reported that the wood “does not decay quickly.” [1] Ridsdale, C., White, J., & Usher, C.
Ginkgo colour, grain, and figure
Expect ranges from light orangish brown to nearly white. Very subtle color difference between annual growth rings with fairly homogenous appearance.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight, with a very even and uniform medium to coarse texture. Low natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, overall good working properties, particularly with hand tools where its softness can be used to advantage in things like carving or joinery. Glues and finishes well.
Although many parts of the tree, including the leaves, pollen, and fruit, have been associated with allergenic reactions, there have been no reports on the wood itself.
Ginkgo should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ginkgo
Best projects
Carvings, cutting boards, furniture, and turned objects
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 Ginkgo 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.
Ginkgo FAQ
What is Ginkgo best used for?
Ginkgo is best considered for carvings, cutting boards, furniture, and turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Ginkgo 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 Ginkgo?
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.