Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionLati Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Lati 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 nameAmphimas pterocarpoides and A.
Janka hardness1,200 lbf
Average dried weight49 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Lati?
Lati is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Central and West Africa. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, plywood, interior trim, furniture, and flooring
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 nameAmphimas pterocarpoides and A.
DistributionCentral and West Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 6.2%, Tangential: 10.6%, Volumetric: 16.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated as non-durable to moderately durable; susceptible to most insect attacks, though moderately resistant to termites.
Lati colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is a light yellowish brown. Yellowish sapwood isn’t always defined from heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight, with a uniformly coarse texture. Low natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though the wood has higher-than-average cutting resistance (as well as good wear resistance). Drying defects can occur if working with green wood.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with lati.
Lati should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Lati
Best projects
Veneer, plywood, interior trim, furniture, and flooring
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 Lati 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.
Lati FAQ
What is Lati best used for?
Lati is best considered for veneer, plywood, interior trim, furniture, and flooring. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Lati 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 Lati?
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.