Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionKeyaki Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Keyaki 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 nameZelkova serrata
Janka hardness1,040 lbf
Average dried weight38.7 lb/ft³
Best fitSee best uses below
Overview
Why choose Keyaki?
Keyaki is a domestic hardwood species. Grows in eastern China, Japan and Korea. Within its native range it is used for decorative work including furniture, carvings and lacquerware.
Scientific nameZelkova serrata
DistributionGrows in eastern China, Japan and Korea
ShrinkageRadial: ~5%, Tangential: ~8%, Volumetric: ~13%, T/R Ratio: ~1.6* *Shrinkage values are for the subspecies Z.
DurabilityThe wood is rated very durable and resists insects well.
Keyaki colour, grain, and figure
Heartwood is a light to medium shade of golden brown, normally easy to tell from the paler yellowish brown sapwood. Wide rays on quartersawn sections can show tiny ray fleck patterns.
Grain can be straight, irregular or interlocked.
Working notes
It cuts easily with either hand or machine tools. It turns cleanly and takes glue and finish well.
Apart from the usual risks of breathing any wood dust, keyaki has not been linked to any specific health problems.
Keyaki should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Keyaki
Best projects
Within its native range it is used for decorative work including furniture, carvings and lacquerware.
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 Keyaki 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.
Keyaki FAQ
What is Keyaki best used for?
Within its native range it is used for decorative work including furniture, carvings and lacquerware. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Keyaki 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 Keyaki?
The buying section on this page links to any Keyaki 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.