Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionKentucky Coffeetree Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Kentucky Coffeetree 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 nameGymnocladus spp., Gymnocladus dioicus
Janka hardness1,390 lbf
Average dried weight42 lb/ft³
Best fitFurniture
Overview
Why choose Kentucky Coffeetree?
Kentucky Coffeetree is a domestic hardwood species associated with Eastern North America. It is useful when the project calls for furniture, cabinetry, fence posts, and utility wood
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 nameGymnocladus spp., Gymnocladus dioicus
DistributionEastern North America
ShrinkageRadial: 4.1%, Tangential: 7.6%, Volumetric: 11.9%, T/R Ratio: 1.9
DurabilityReports range from moderately durable to very durable regarding decay resistance, and is reported to fare well in direct ground contact.
Kentucky Coffeetree colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood an orange to reddish brown. Yellowish white sapwood is very narrow and well defined against heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight and porous, with a coarse, uneven texture.
Working notes
In the shop, coffeetree has good working characteristics, and nearly every machining operation can be done with good and expected results. Glues, stains, and finishes well.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Coffeetree.
Kentucky Coffeetree should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Kentucky Coffeetree
Best projects
Furniture, cabinetry, fence posts, and utility wood
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 Kentucky Coffeetree 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.
Kentucky Coffeetree FAQ
What is Kentucky Coffeetree best used for?
Kentucky Coffeetree is best considered for furniture, cabinetry, fence posts, and utility wood. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Kentucky Coffeetree 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 Kentucky Coffeetree?
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.