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Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionTulipwood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Tulipwood 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 nameDalbergia decipularis (also Dalbergia frutescens)
Janka hardness2,500 lbf
Average dried weight60 lb/ft³
Best fitFine furniture
Overview
Why choose Tulipwood?
Tulipwood is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Northeastern Brazil. Common uses include fine furniture, veneer, inlay, marquetry, percussion instruments and small turned objects.
Scientific nameDalbergia decipularis (also Dalbergia frutescens)
DistributionNortheastern Brazil
ShrinkageReported to be stable in use, with shrinkage rates likely similar to other rosewoods .
DurabilityDecay resistance is reported to be low, but it resists insects.
Tulipwood colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is streaked with yellow, red, orange and pink. Colour and figure can vary widely.
The pores are open and mid-sized. The grain generally runs straight, and the texture is fine.
Working notes
Its high density makes it hard to work, and it blunts cutters. Plentiful natural oils and the density can also make gluing difficult.
Serious reactions are unusual, but rosewoods of the Dalbergia genus, tulipwood included, are reported to act as sensitizers.
Tulipwood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Tulipwood
Best projects
Common uses include fine furniture, veneer, inlay, marquetry, percussion instruments and small 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 Tulipwood 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.
Tulipwood FAQ
What is Tulipwood best used for?
Common uses include fine furniture, veneer, inlay, marquetry, percussion instruments and small turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Tulipwood 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 Tulipwood?
The buying section on this page links to any Tulipwood 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.