Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionMadrone Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Madrone 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 nameArbutus menziesii
Janka hardness1,460 lbf
Average dried weight50 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Madrone?
Madrone is a domestic hardwood species associated with Western coast of North America. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, turned objects, and other small specialty objects
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 nameArbutus menziesii
DistributionWestern coast of North America
ShrinkageRadial: 5.6%, Tangential: 12.4%, Volumetric: 18.1%, T/R Ratio: 2.2
DurabilityMadrone is rated as non-durable to perishable with regard to decay resistance.
Madrone colour, grain, and figure
Expect color tends to be a cream or pinkish brown color, but can also have dark red patches. Madrone is known for its burl veneer, which has many closely-packed clusters of knots and swirled grain.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain tends to be straight, with a very fine and even texture.
Working notes
In the shop, madrone is easy to work with machine and hand tools, and compares similarly to Hard Maple in working characteristics. The wood can be difficult to dry, and has a tendency to warp or twist.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Madrone.
Madrone should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Madrone
Best projects
Veneer, turned objects, and other small specialty objects
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 Madrone 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.
Madrone FAQ
What is Madrone best used for?
Madrone is best considered for veneer, turned objects, and other small specialty objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Madrone 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 Madrone?
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.