Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionMopane Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Mopane 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 nameColophospermum mopane
Janka hardness3,390 lbf
Average dried weight67 lb/ft³
Best fitExterior construction
Overview
Why choose Mopane?
Mopane is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Southern Africa. Common uses include exterior construction, inlay, furniture, fuelwood and charcoal, turned items, woodwind instruments and flooring.
Scientific nameColophospermum mopane
DistributionSouthern Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 4.0%, Tangential: 5.2%, Volumetric: 9.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.3
DurabilityMopane is rated very durable, and powder post beetles and termites leave it alone.
Mopane colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is a reddish brown, medium to dark in tone, with black stripes, and it darkens with age.
The grain is usually interlocked. The texture is fine and even with a moderate sheen.
Working notes
Considered hard to work, mostly because of its extreme density. Machining severely dulls cutters.
Apart from the usual hazards of breathing any wood dust, Mopane has no other reported health reactions.
Mopane should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Mopane
Best projects
Common uses include exterior construction, inlay, furniture, fuelwood and charcoal, turned items, woodwind instruments 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 Mopane 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.
Mopane FAQ
What is Mopane best used for?
Common uses include exterior construction, inlay, furniture, fuelwood and charcoal, turned items, woodwind instruments and flooring. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Mopane 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 Mopane?
The buying section on this page links to any Mopane 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.