Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionIndian Pulai Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Indian Pulai 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 nameAlstonia scholaris
Janka hardness420 lbf
Average dried weight25.5 lb/ft³
Best fitPatterns
Overview
Why choose Indian Pulai?
Indian Pulai is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is South and Southeast Asia, northern Australia and islands of the Pacific. Common uses include patterns and forms, utility lumber, carvings, turned objects and, historically, blackboards.
Scientific nameAlstonia scholaris
DistributionSouth and Southeast Asia, northern Australia and islands of the Pacific
ShrinkageRadial: 3.6%, Tangential: 6.0%, Volumetric: 9.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 More images | Identification
DurabilityDecay resistance is very poor, and so is resistance to insects.
Indian Pulai colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is a light to golden brown and blends into the sapwood. Latex canals appear now and then as slits in the surface.
Grain is usually straight but may be a little interlocked. The texture is fine to medium, with little natural luster.
Working notes
It cuts easily with hand tools or machinery but does not bend well.
Serious reactions are unusual, but Indian pulai is reported to irritate the skin, possibly linked to the latex canals in the trunk.
Indian Pulai should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Indian Pulai
Best projects
Common uses include patterns and forms, utility lumber, carvings, turned objects and, historically, blackboards.
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 Indian Pulai 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.
Indian Pulai FAQ
What is Indian Pulai best used for?
Common uses include patterns and forms, utility lumber, carvings, turned objects and, historically, blackboards. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Indian Pulai 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 Indian Pulai?
The buying section on this page links to any Indian Pulai 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.