Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionPersimmon Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Persimmon 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 nameDiospyros virginiana
Janka hardness2,300 lbf
Average dried weight52 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Persimmon?
Persimmon is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is Eastern United States. Common uses include veneer, golf club heads, turned objects, plus other small specialty pieces.
Scientific nameDiospyros virginiana
DistributionEastern United States
ShrinkageRadial: 7.9%, Tangential: 11.2%, Volumetric: 19.1%, T/R Ratio: 1.4
DurabilityNearly all persimmon is sapwood, so it is perishable and prone to insect attack.
Persimmon colour, grain, and figure
The very wide sapwood is white to a pale yellowish tan, and it darkens as it ages.
Grain runs straight, and the texture is even and medium-coarse.
Working notes
Workability is only fair. Persimmon does well with hand tools, but it can be hard to plane and dulls cutting edges faster than you would expect.
Persimmon is said to cause skin irritation.
Persimmon should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Persimmon
Best projects
Common uses include veneer, golf club heads, turned objects, plus other small specialty pieces.
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 Persimmon 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.
Persimmon FAQ
What is Persimmon best used for?
Common uses include veneer, golf club heads, turned objects, plus other small specialty pieces. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Persimmon 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 Persimmon?
The buying section on this page links to any Persimmon 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.