Plum

Plum wood is a beautiful hardwood prized for its rich reddish-brown to purplish tones and fine, smooth texture. Native to temperate regions worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and North America, Plum offers a compact, hard, and stable material ideal for small-scale artisan woodworking projects.

Its heartwood often exhibits subtle streaks and a gentle chatoyance that highlights its natural beauty. Plum wood machines, sands, and polishes exceptionally well, revealing a silky-smooth surface. Its moderate density and fine grain make it perfect for pen blanks, knife handles, turned objects, inlays, small furniture accents, and specialty carvings.

Botanical Information

Scientific Name: Prunus domestica (common European plum)

Family: Rosaceae

Origin: Europe, Asia, North America (cultivated)

Common & Trade Names

Plum, European Plum, Fruitwood, Prunus Wood

Key Characteristics

Heartwood: reddish-brown to purplish

Sapwood: pale cream to yellow

Fine, uniform texture

Straight to slightly wavy grain

Moderate density; stable and durable

Workability

Machines, sands, and turns cleanly

Takes stain and finish beautifully

Glues and polishes reliably

Excellent for small precision projects

Health & Safety Note

Wood dust may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Use proper dust extraction, respirators, and eye protection when machining or sanding Plum wood.

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