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View optionZiricote Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Imported specialty hardwood
Ziricote 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 nameCordia dodecandra
Janka hardness1,970 lbf
Average dried weight50 lb/ft³
Best fitFurniture
Overview
Why choose Ziricote?
Ziricote is a imported specialty hardwood associated with Central America and Mexico. It is useful when the project calls for furniture, veneer, cabinetry, gunstocks, musical instruments (acoustic and electric guitars), 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 nameCordia dodecandra
DistributionCentral America and Mexico
ShrinkageRadial: 3.5%, Tangential: 6.7%, Volumetric: 9.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.9
DurabilityZiricote is reported to be naturally resistant to decay.
Ziricote colour, grain, and figure
Expect color ranges from medium to dark brown, sometimes with either a green or purple hue, with darker bands of black growth rings intermixed. Ziricote has a very unique appearance, which is sometimes referred to as “spider-webbing” or “landscape” grain figure.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is straight to slightly interlocked. Medium to fine texture, with good natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, overall, Ziricote is fairly easy to work considering its high density. The wood tends to develop end and surface checks during drying, which can be problematic: though the wood is stable once dry.
Ziricote has been shown to cause cross reactions once an allergic sensitivity to certain woods has been developed.
Ziricote should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ziricote
Best projects
Furniture, veneer, cabinetry, gunstocks, musical instruments (acoustic and electric guitars), 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 Ziricote 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.
Ziricote FAQ
What is Ziricote best used for?
Ziricote is best considered for furniture, veneer, cabinetry, gunstocks, musical instruments (acoustic and electric guitars), turned objects, and other small specialty wood items. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Ziricote 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 Ziricote?
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.