Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionPaulownia Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Paulownia 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 namePaulownia tomentosa
Janka hardness300 lbf
Average dried weight18 lb/ft³
Best fitPlywood
Overview
Why choose Paulownia?
Paulownia is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Native to eastern Asia; also planted in eastern North America. It is useful when the project calls for plywood, veneer, furniture, boxes, millwork/siding, musical instruments (electric guitar bodies), clogs, carvings, and other small specialty items
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific namePaulownia tomentosa
DistributionNative to eastern Asia; also planted in eastern North America
ShrinkageRadial: 2.4%, Tangential: 3.9%, Volumetric: 6.4%, T/R Ratio: 1.6
DurabilityReported to be durable regarding decay resistance, with decent weathering characteristics, though susceptible to insect attack.
Paulownia colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood typically a pale grayish brown, sometimes with a reddish or purplish hue. Pale white sapwood not clearly demarcated from heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is generally straight, with a coarse, uneven texture. Very large pores give Paulownia a striped, porous look.
Working notes
In the shop, given its straight grain and light weight, Paulownia is extremely easy to work. However, due to a high silica content in some trees, the wood can have a strong blunting effect on cutting edges.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Paulownia.
Paulownia should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Paulownia
Best projects
Plywood, veneer, furniture, boxes, millwork/siding, musical instruments (electric guitar bodies), clogs, carvings, and other small specialty items
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 Paulownia 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.
Paulownia FAQ
What is Paulownia best used for?
Paulownia is best considered for plywood, veneer, furniture, boxes, millwork/siding, musical instruments (electric guitar bodies), clogs, carvings, and other small specialty items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Paulownia 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 Paulownia?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.