Southern Magnolia
Magnolia grandiflora
Hardness
Medium-hard; a versatile range for most furniture.
Overview
A mild, even-grained wood similar to poplar, often with greenish-streaked heartwood. Easy to work and affordable, good for painted work and secondary parts.
Commonly built
- Painted cabinets
- Drawer boxes
- Trim
Appearance
Creamy white sapwood with greenish to grayish-brown, sometimes purple-streaked heartwood. Fine, even, fairly plain texture.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Soft enough to work easily with any tool, takes paint and finish well. Similar in use to yellow poplar. Moderately stable. The colorful heartwood streaks can be a feature.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn southern magnolia panel moves roughly 0.36 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Southern Magnolia move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Southern Magnolia?
Southern Magnolia has a Janka hardness of 1020 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Southern Magnolia suitable for outdoor use?
Southern Magnolia is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Southern Magnolia to work with?
Southern Magnolia has Excellent workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Southern Magnolia move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn southern magnolia panel moves roughly 0.36 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Fine, uniform, closed grain that takes paint and clear finishes very cleanly; a good secondary and paint wood. Can blotch slightly under pigment stain, so a conditioner or dye gives more even color. The occasional greenish-black mineral streaks are usually embraced under a clear finish or hidden under paint. Finishes smoothly with minimal filling.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used southern magnolia, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.