Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionLemonwood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Lemonwood 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 nameCalycophyllum candidissimum
Janka hardness1,880 lbf
Average dried weight51 lb/ft³
Best fitFishing rods
Overview
Why choose Lemonwood?
Lemonwood is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Cuba and Central America. Used for fishing rods, turned items, carvings and archery bows.
Scientific nameCalycophyllum candidissimum
DistributionCuba and Central America
ShrinkageRadial: 4.8%, Tangential: 8.6%, Volumetric: 13.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.8
DurabilityReports differ depending on the decay fungus, but it is generally rated moderately durable.
Lemonwood colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is a pale yellowish or light brown. The sapwood is lighter and not sharply separated from the heartwood.
The grain is typically straight to slightly interlocked, with a fine, even texture and a slight sheen.
Working notes
Working qualities are fair overall, and dry stock is reported to resist cutting strongly. The wood takes to turning, gluing and finishing.
Apart from the usual hazards of breathing any wood dust, Lemonwood has no other reported health reactions.
Lemonwood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Lemonwood
Best projects
Used for fishing rods, turned items, carvings and archery bows.
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 Lemonwood 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.
Lemonwood FAQ
What is Lemonwood best used for?
Used for fishing rods, turned items, carvings and archery bows. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Lemonwood 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 Lemonwood?
The buying section on this page links to any Lemonwood 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.