Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionWater Tupelo Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Water Tupelo 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 nameNyssa aquatica
Janka hardness870 lbf
Average dried weight34 lb/ft³
Best fitFurniture
Overview
Why choose Water Tupelo?
Water Tupelo is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is Southeastern United States. Common uses include furniture, carving, utility wood, crates and boxes.
Scientific nameNyssa aquatica
DistributionSoutheastern United States
ShrinkageRadial: 4.2%, Tangential: 7.6%, Volumetric: 12.5%, T/R Ratio: 1.8
DurabilityDecay resistance is poor, ranging from non-durable to perishable, and insects attack it readily.
Water Tupelo colour, grain, and figure
Sapwood is very wide, generally a pale yellow, sometimes with a greyish cast. The narrower heartwood runs from medium brown to grey.
The grain is interlocked and the texture is fine.
Working notes
It is easy to work by hand or machine, but tupelo tends to warp as it dries and moves a great deal in use. Power-carving goes well, with little fuzzing.
Apart from the ordinary hazards of any wood dust, no other health effects are on record for water tupelo.
Water Tupelo should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Water Tupelo
Best projects
Common uses include furniture, carving, utility wood, crates and boxes.
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 Water Tupelo 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.
Water Tupelo FAQ
What is Water Tupelo best used for?
Common uses include furniture, carving, utility wood, crates and boxes. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Water Tupelo 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 Water Tupelo?
The buying section on this page links to any Water Tupelo 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.