Wood Species Guide
Plum
Prunus domestica
Also called: European Plum, Common Plum, Orchard Plum, Plumwood
About the name “Plum”
Plum wood in woodworking means the orchard plum and its close relatives. It has nothing to do with Java plum, a Florida invasive tree with its own page, and "plumwood" is also the name of an unrelated Australian tree.
What Plum looks like
Heartwood is usually a warm tan to yellowish brown, often streaked with pink, red, purple or olive. Small trees mean knots, swirls and color changes show up in almost every piece.
Grain and texture
Fine, close texture with a slight luster. Grain runs straight in clear sections but is often wavy or irregular around knots.
Working Plum: planing, cutting and gluing
Clear pieces work easily, but irregular grain and knots tear out, so take light cuts and keep tools sharp. It turns very well and glues fine. Many people notice a squash-like smell when it is cut.
Finishing Plum: oil, film finishes and epoxy
Oil or hardwax oil makes the streaks glow. The fine pores seal easily, so epoxy fills and coatings go on without much outgassing. Purple and pink tones tend to fade toward brown with light, and a UV-resistant topcoat slows that down.
Durability, stability and Florida humidity
Decay resistance is not well documented, so keep it indoors. Small orchard logs check easily while drying, so seal the ends right away. In Florida humidity, finish all faces and keep pieces out of direct sun.
Shop notes from our Fort Myers shop
Plum is a small-piece wood: turning blanks, knife scales, spoons, inlay and boxes. Orchard and backyard trees rarely give boards wide enough for furniture, and checks are common, so plan around them or fill them with epoxy. It is one of the prettiest fruitwoods for bowls. We don't stock it, but ask us and we can often source it.
Common uses for Plum
Turned bowls and pens, knife handles, inlay, spoons, small boxes and musical instrument parts.
Sustainability and CITES status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List. Most plum wood comes from pruned or removed orchard trees.
Safety and toxicity
- Respiratory / asthma
Few reports for plum itself. Related cherries have been linked to breathing irritation, so treat the dust with normal care.
- In the shop
- Dust collection + mask when sanding
- Food contact
- Good choice for cutting boards, bowls and utensils
General information, not medical advice. See a doctor if you have a reaction.
No reactions are commonly reported for plum. Related cherry dust has caused breathing irritation, so use dust collection and a mask.
Plum in stock now
Ask us. We can often source it.
We don't have Plum listed online right now, but new slabs and lumber come in all the time and not everything makes it to the website. Tell us what you're building and we'll check our racks and suppliers.
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