Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionTamarind Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Tamarind 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 nameTamarindus indica
Janka hardness2,690 lbf
Average dried weight53 lb/ft³
Best fitFurniture
Overview
Why choose Tamarind?
Tamarind is an imported specialty hardwood. Native to tropical Africa and widely planted in tropical regions worldwide. Common uses include furniture, carvings, small specialty pieces and turned work.
Scientific nameTamarindus indica
DistributionNative to tropical Africa and widely planted in tropical regions worldwide
ShrinkageRadial: ~3%, Tangential: ~7%, Volumetric: ~11%
DurabilityThe heartwood is reported to resist decay well to very well, and it also resists insects.
Tamarind colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is deep reddish brown, at times with a purplish tint. It is narrow and usually found only in older, larger trees. The very wide pale yellow sapwood is sharply set off from it.
Grain is both wavy and interlocked, while the texture is even and of medium coarseness.
Working notes
Density and interlocked grain make it generally hard to work, and the heartwood blunts cutting edges noticeably.
Reports of toxicity exist for this wood, but they give no details.
Tamarind should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Tamarind
Best projects
Common uses include furniture, carvings, small specialty pieces and turned work.
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 Tamarind 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.
Tamarind FAQ
What is Tamarind best used for?
Common uses include furniture, carvings, small specialty pieces and turned work. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Tamarind 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 Tamarind?
The buying section on this page links to any Tamarind 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.