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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 fitAcoustic
Overview
Why choose Ziricote?
Ziricote is an imported specialty hardwood. Its natural range is Central America and Mexico. Common uses include acoustic and electric guitars, gunstocks, furniture, cabinetry, veneer, turned work and small specialty pieces.
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 resist decay naturally.
Ziricote colour, grain, and figure
The colour runs from a medium brown to a dark brown, sometimes tinted green or purple, with darker black bands of growth rings mixed in. Its look is very distinctive and often gets called “spider-webbing” or “landscape” figure.
Grain is straight, or slightly interlocked. The texture is medium to fine, with a good natural luster.
Working notes
For such a dense wood it is quite easy to work. During drying it tends to form end and surface checks, which can be a problem, but once dry it is stable.
Ziricote can trigger cross reactions in people who have already become allergic to certain woods.
Ziricote should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Ziricote
Best projects
Common uses include acoustic and electric guitars, gunstocks, furniture, cabinetry, veneer, turned work and small specialty pieces.
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?
Common uses include acoustic and electric guitars, gunstocks, furniture, cabinetry, veneer, turned work and small specialty pieces. 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?
The buying section on this page links to any Ziricote 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.