Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionObeche Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Obeche 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 nameTriplochiton scleroxylon
Janka hardness440 lbf
Average dried weight23.8 lb/ft³
Best fitInterior millwork
Overview
Why choose Obeche?
Obeche is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Tropical West Africa. Common uses include interior millwork, furniture, carvings, plywood and veneer, plus the framing, planks and posts of local houses.
Scientific nameTriplochiton scleroxylon
DistributionTropical West Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 3.1%, Tangential: 5.3%, Volumetric: 8.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.7 More images | Identification
DurabilityNot durable, with poor resistance to termites and borers.
Obeche colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is typically pale yellow, and the sapwood is not clearly separated from it. The colour deepens a little with age.
The grain is usually slightly interlocked, though occasionally straight. Texture is medium to coarse with a good sheen.
Working notes
Generally easy, although interlocked grain can leave uneven surfaces in some machining work. It carves well and takes stain, glue and finish well.
Severe reactions seldom occur, but obeche is reported as a sensitizer.
Obeche should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Obeche
Best projects
Common uses include interior millwork, furniture, carvings, plywood and veneer, plus the framing, planks and posts of local houses.
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 Obeche 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.
Obeche FAQ
What is Obeche best used for?
Common uses include interior millwork, furniture, carvings, plywood and veneer, plus the framing, planks and posts of local houses. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Obeche 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 Obeche?
The buying section on this page links to any Obeche 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.