Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionHackberry Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Hackberry 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 nameCeltis occidentalis, Celtis laevigata
Janka hardness880 lbf
Average dried weight37 lb/ft³
Best fitBent parts
Overview
Why choose Hackberry?
Hackberry is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is Eastern North America. Common uses include bent parts, turned objects, veneer, boxes and crates and furniture.
Scientific nameCeltis occidentalis, Celtis laevigata
DistributionEastern North America
ShrinkageRadial: 4.8%, Tangential: 8.9%, Volumetric: 13.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.9
DurabilityThe wood is non-durable to perishable.
Hackberry colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood ranges from light brown to grey, set against a wide, light yellow sapwood.
Grain is mostly straight, now and then slightly interlocked, and the texture is very coarse and uneven.
Working notes
It generally works well by hand and by machine, though small knotty pieces and interlocked sections can be harder to machine. It steam bends superbly.
Skin irritation has been reported from hackberry.
Hackberry should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Hackberry
Best projects
Common uses include bent parts, turned objects, veneer, boxes and crates and 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 Hackberry 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.
Hackberry FAQ
What is Hackberry best used for?
Common uses include bent parts, turned objects, veneer, boxes and crates and furniture. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Hackberry 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 Hackberry?
The buying section on this page links to any Hackberry 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.