Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionOhia Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Ohia 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 nameMetrosideros spp.
Janka hardness2,040 lbf
Average dried weight57 lb/ft³
Best fitTurned items
Overview
Why choose Ohia?
Ohia is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is Pacific islands. Used for turned items, flooring and furniture.
Scientific nameMetrosideros spp.
DistributionPacific islands
ShrinkageRadial: 6.9%, Tangential: 12.1%, Volumetric: 19.1%, T/R Ratio: 1.8
DurabilityNot durable to perishable, with good insect resistance.
Ohia colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is a reddish brown in a light to medium shade. The greyish sapwood is poorly defined.
The grain is interlocked, with an even, medium texture and a moderate sheen.
Working notes
Generally hard to work due to density and interlocked grain. Its high shrinkage values also show that it moves quite a lot in service.
Apart from the usual hazards of breathing any wood dust, Ohia has no other reported health reactions.
Ohia should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ohia
Best projects
Used for turned items, flooring and furniture.
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 Ohia 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.
Ohia FAQ
What is Ohia best used for?
Used for turned items, flooring and furniture. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Ohia 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 Ohia?
The buying section on this page links to any Ohia 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.