Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionTambootie Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Tambootie 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 nameSpirostachys africana
Janka hardness2,480 lbf
Average dried weight60 lb/ft³
Best fitCarvings
Overview
Why choose Tambootie?
Tambootie is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Southern Africa. Common uses include carvings, furniture, small specialty pieces and turned work.
Scientific nameSpirostachys africana
DistributionSouthern Africa
ShrinkageRadial: 2.8%, Tangential: 5.4%, Volumetric: 8.2%, T/R Ratio: 1.9
DurabilityThe heartwood is very durable and also resists insects.
Tambootie colour, grain, and figure
Colour runs from golden brown to a deeper reddish brown, with black streaks often running through it. The pale yellow sapwood is sharply set off from the heartwood.
The grain is straight, occasionally wavy, and the texture is fine and even. Natural oils in the wood add to its strong shine.
Working notes
Overall it has good working qualities and responds well to machining despite its high density. The blunting effect on cutters, though, ranges from medium to severe.
The sap of a living tambootie tree strongly irritates the skin.
Tambootie should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Tambootie
Best projects
Common uses include carvings, furniture, 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 Tambootie 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.
Tambootie FAQ
What is Tambootie best used for?
Common uses include carvings, furniture, small specialty pieces and turned work. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Tambootie 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 Tambootie?
The buying section on this page links to any Tambootie 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.