Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionPlum Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Plum 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 namePrunus domestica
Janka hardness1,550 lbf
Average dried weight50 lb/ft³
Best fitKnife handles
Overview
Why choose Plum?
Plum is a domestic hardwood species. Widely grown in temperate regions worldwide. Common uses include knife handles, inlay, musical instruments and turned items.
Scientific namePrunus domestica
DistributionWidely grown in temperate regions worldwide
Plum colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood shows a wide variety of colours: usually yellowish brown mixed with grey, olive, purple, red, orange or pink streaks. Plum trees are small, so swirled or irregular grain is common, as are knots and further defects.
The texture is fine, the grain is close and the sheen is slight.
Working notes
Straight, clear areas are easy with hand tools or machinery. Irregular grain and knots need care when surfacing to prevent tearout.
Plum has no recorded adverse health effects, but Black Cherry, a close relative, is said to affect the respiratory system.
Plum should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Plum
Best projects
Common uses include knife handles, inlay, musical instruments and turned 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 Plum 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.
Plum FAQ
What is Plum best used for?
Common uses include knife handles, inlay, musical instruments and turned items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Plum 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 Plum?
The buying section on this page links to any Plum 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.