Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionVerawood Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Verawood 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 namePlectrocarpa arborea (formerly placed in the Bulnesia genus; see comments below )
Janka hardness3,810 lbf
Average dried weight74.6 lb/ft³
Best fitTool handles
Overview
Why choose Verawood?
Verawood is a domestic hardwood species associated with Colombia and Venezuela. It is useful when the project calls for tool handles, mallet heads, bearings, bushings, boatbuilding, pulley wheels, heavy construction (in areas where the tree grows locally), and turned objects
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 namePlectrocarpa arborea (formerly placed in the Bulnesia genus; see comments below )
DistributionColombia and Venezuela
ShrinkageNo data available; most likely very similar to Argentine Lignum Vitae (Plectrocarpa sarmientoi) More images | Identification
DurabilityVerawood is reported to be very durable for outdoor use and is said to last “indefinitely” [1] Chudnoff, M.
Verawood colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood color can range from pale yellowish olive to a deeper forest green or dark brown. The color tends to darken with age, especially upon exposure to light.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is usually interlocked. Fine even texture with very high natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, verawood has a tendency to skip over-top jointer cutters on account of its extremely high density, and very light passes are recommended. Verawood will also dull cutters, and overall it’s considered quite difficult to work.
Verawood sawdust has been reported to cause sneezing, and the closely related lignum vitae has been reported to cause skin irritation.
Verawood should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Verawood
Best projects
Tool handles, mallet heads, bearings, bushings, boatbuilding, pulley wheels, heavy construction (in areas where the tree grows locally), and 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 Verawood 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.
Verawood FAQ
What is Verawood best used for?
Verawood is best considered for tool handles, mallet heads, bearings, bushings, boatbuilding, pulley wheels, heavy construction (in areas where the tree grows locally), and turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Verawood 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 Verawood?
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.