Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionTzalam Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Tzalam 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 nameLysiloma spp.
Janka hardness1,400 lbf
Average dried weight49 lb/ft³
Best fitFlooring
Overview
Why choose Tzalam?
Tzalam is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Mexico and Central America. It is useful when the project calls for flooring, exterior furniture, interior trim, veneer, turned objects, and other small, specialty wood items
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 nameLysiloma spp.
DistributionMexico and Central America
ShrinkageRadial: 2.7%, Tangential: 7.2%, Volumetric: 9.5%, T/R Ratio: 2.7
DurabilityReported to be very durable, and also resistant to most insect attacks.
Tzalam colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood light to medium brown, sometimes with a reddish or purplish hue. Darker brown streaks common.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: straight grain with an open, uniform texture. Medium luster.
Working notes
In the shop, overall working properties are good, though Tzalam may blunt tool edges faster than usual. Turns, glues, and finishes well.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, Tzalam has been reported to cause cold-like symptoms.
Tzalam should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Tzalam
Best projects
Flooring, exterior furniture, interior trim, veneer, turned objects, and other small, specialty wood items
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 Tzalam 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.
Tzalam FAQ
What is Tzalam best used for?
Tzalam is best considered for flooring, exterior furniture, interior trim, veneer, turned objects, and other small, specialty wood items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Tzalam 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 Tzalam?
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.