Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionIdigbo Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Idigbo 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 nameTerminalia ivorensis
Janka hardness820 lbf
Average dried weight32.3 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Idigbo?
Idigbo is a imported specialty hardwood associated with West tropical Africa; also grown on plantations. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, plywood, light construction, interior joinery, furniture, and cabinetry
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 nameTerminalia ivorensis
DistributionWest tropical Africa; also grown on plantations
ShrinkageRadial: 3.7%, Tangential: 5.5%, Volumetric: 9.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.5 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated as moderately durable to durable, though insect and borer resistance is poor.
Idigbo colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is pale yellowish brown, sometimes with paler stripes due to lack of pores in latewood, and/or irregular dark brown stripes. Pale sapwood isn’t clearly demarcated from heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain tends to be straight or slightly interlocked. With a coarse, uniform texture with moderate natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, works well with both hand and machine tools, though surfacing quartersawn pieces with interlocked grain may cause tearout. Yellow water-based heartwood extractives may cause staining, and the wood may become discolored when in contact with iron.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, idigbo has been reported to cause skin and respiratory irritation.
Idigbo should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Idigbo
Best projects
Veneer, plywood, light construction, interior joinery, furniture, and cabinetry
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 Idigbo 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.
Idigbo FAQ
What is Idigbo best used for?
Idigbo is best considered for veneer, plywood, light construction, interior joinery, furniture, and cabinetry. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Idigbo 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 Idigbo?
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.