4/4 Olivewood Rough Sawn Lumber
Direct Kingma listing for Olivewood; inventory, lengths, and widths can rotate by variant.
View optionOlivewood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Olivewood 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 nameOlea europaea
Janka hardness2,710 lbf
Average dried weight61.2 lb/ft³
Best fitSmall specialty wood items
Overview
Why choose Olivewood?
Olivewood is an imported specialty hardwood. Native to the Mediterranean; cultivated across many subtropical regions of the world. Common uses include small specialty wood items, turned objects, veneer and high-end furniture.
Scientific nameOlea europaea
DistributionNative to the Mediterranean; cultivated across many subtropical regions of the world
ShrinkageRadial: 4.9%, Tangential: 7.7%, Volumetric: 12.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.6 More images | Identification
DurabilityReports conflict, ranging from perishable up to moderately durable.
Olivewood colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is usually yellow or light reddish brown and carries streaks and veins of darker brown to black that contrast with the base. The yellowish sapwood is usually sharply set off, though it is harder to spot when the heartwood has no contrasting streaks.
The grain can be wild, interlocked or straight. The texture is fine and even, with a modest natural sheen.
Working notes
Density and occasionally wild or interlocked grain make olive somewhat hard to work, and surfacing can tear it out. It moves a lot in use and has poor stability, particularly when branch wood is used, which is more typical of fruit trees such as olive.
Serious reactions are rare, but olive is a known sensitizer in some people.
Olivewood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Olivewood
Best projects
Common uses include small specialty wood items, turned objects, veneer and high-end 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 Olivewood 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.
Maple lumber collection
Light, clean domestic alternative when utility and workability matter more than Olivewood figure.
View optionLive edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about visual statement material than Olivewood specifically.
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.
Olivewood FAQ
What is Olivewood best used for?
Common uses include small specialty wood items, turned objects, veneer and high-end furniture. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Olivewood 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 Olivewood?
The buying section on this page links to any Olivewood 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.