Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionTurpentine Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Turpentine 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 nameSyncarpia glomulifera
Janka hardness2,750 lbf
Average dried weight59 lb/ft³
Best fitExterior work such as shipbuilding
Overview
Why choose Turpentine?
Turpentine is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Australia. Common uses include exterior work such as shipbuilding, decking and railway crossties.
Scientific nameSyncarpia glomulifera
DistributionAustralia
ShrinkageRadial: 5.7%, Tangential: 10.4%, Volumetric: 16.7%, T/R Ratio: 1.8
DurabilityThe heartwood is said to be very durable, standing up to decay from fungi as well as insects.
Turpentine colour, grain, and figure
The heartwood is red to reddish brown, and the sapwood is a pale pink.
The texture is fine to medium. The grain can be straight, wavy or interlocked.
Working notes
Its high density can make it hard to work and tends to dull cutting edges. It finishes to a high shine.
The wood is reported to irritate and swell the mucous membranes.
Turpentine should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Turpentine
Best projects
Common uses include exterior work such as shipbuilding, decking and railway crossties.
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 Turpentine 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.
Turpentine FAQ
What is Turpentine best used for?
Common uses include exterior work such as shipbuilding, decking and railway crossties. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Turpentine 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 Turpentine?
The buying section on this page links to any Turpentine 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.