Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionSassafras Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Sassafras 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 nameSassafras albidum
Janka hardness630 lbf
Average dried weight31.0 lb/ft³
Best fitBoatbuilding
Overview
Why choose Sassafras?
Sassafras is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is Eastern United States. Common uses include boatbuilding, fence posts, furniture and utility lumber.
Scientific nameSassafras albidum
DistributionEastern United States
ShrinkageRadial: 4%, Tangential: 6.2%, Volumetric: 10.3%, T/R Ratio: 1.6 More images | Identification
DurabilityDecay resistance is good to very good.
Sassafras colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is light to medium brown, sometimes tinted orange or olive, and it darkens over the years.
The grain is straight, and the texture is coarse and uneven.
Working notes
It cuts easily with hand tools or machinery and is dimensionally stable once dry.
Serious reactions are unusual, but sassafras is reported to act as a sensitizer.
Sassafras should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Sassafras
Best projects
Common uses include boatbuilding, fence posts, furniture and utility lumber.
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 Sassafras 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.
Sassafras FAQ
What is Sassafras best used for?
Common uses include boatbuilding, fence posts, furniture and utility lumber. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Sassafras 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 Sassafras?
The buying section on this page links to any Sassafras 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.