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 fitSmall specialty pieces
Overview
Why choose Madrone?
Madrone is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is The west coast of North America. Common uses include small specialty pieces, turned items and veneer.
Scientific nameArbutus menziesii
DistributionThe west coast of North America
ShrinkageRadial: 5.6%, Tangential: 12.4%, Volumetric: 18.1%, T/R Ratio: 2.2
DurabilityMadrone is rated non-durable to perishable against decay.
Madrone colour, grain, and figure
The wood is usually cream or pinkish brown, with dark red patches in places. Madrone is known for burl veneer, which has tightly packed knot clusters and swirling grain.
The grain tends to run straight and the texture is very fine and even.
Working notes
Madrone is easy on machines and with hand tools, and it compares closely with Hard Maple in how it works. Drying is hard, and the wood tends to warp or twist.
Apart from the usual hazards of breathing any wood dust, Madrone has no other reported health reactions.
Madrone should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Madrone
Best projects
Common uses include small specialty pieces, turned items and veneer.
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?
Common uses include small specialty pieces, turned items and veneer. 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?
The buying section on this page links to any Madrone 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.