Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionSycamore Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Sycamore 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 namePlatanus occidentalis
Janka hardness770 lbf
Average dried weight34 lb/ft³
Best fitVeneer
Overview
Why choose Sycamore?
Sycamore is a domestic hardwood species associated with Eastern United States. It is useful when the project calls for veneer, plywood, interior trim, pallets/crates, flooring, furniture, particleboard, paper (pulpwood), tool handles, and other turned objects
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 namePlatanus occidentalis
DistributionEastern United States
ShrinkageRadial: 5.0%, Tangential: 8.4%, Volumetric: 14.1%, T/R Ratio: 1.7
DurabilitySycamore is rated as non-durable to perishable regarding decay resistance, and is susceptible to insect attack.
Sycamore colour, grain, and figure
Expect similar to maple, the wood of Sycamore trees is predominantly comprised of the sapwood, with some darker heartwood streaks also found in most boards. (Though it is not uncommon to also see entire boards of heartwood too.) The sapwood is white to light tan, while the heartwood is a darker reddish brown.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: sycamore has a fine and even texture that is very similar to maple. The grain is interlocked.
Working notes
In the shop, overall, Sycamore works easily with both hand and machine tools, though the interlocked grain can be troublesome in surfacing and machining operations at times. Sycamore turns, glues, and finishes well.
Besides the standard health risks associated with any type of wood dust, no further health reactions have been associated with Sycamore.
Sycamore should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Sycamore
Best projects
Veneer, plywood, interior trim, pallets/crates, flooring, furniture, particleboard, paper (pulpwood), tool handles, and other turned objects
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 Sycamore 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.
Sycamore FAQ
What is Sycamore best used for?
Sycamore is best considered for veneer, plywood, interior trim, pallets/crates, flooring, furniture, particleboard, paper (pulpwood), tool handles, and other turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Sycamore 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 Sycamore?
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.