The plum tree has a vivid reddish-brown colour with purple veins. Because of these violet stripes, the wood appears particularly decorative and elegant. The plum wood has a beautiful shiny and smooth surface thanks to its hardness and fine even structure. The sapwood clearly stands out from the heartwood with its yellow to light reddish colour.

Trade Names and Other Names

Abbreviation DIN EN 13556: PRDO
Botanical name: Prunus domestica
German: Zwetschge, Plum
English: Plum, Plumwood
French: prunier
Italian: susino
Spanish: ciruelo
Dutch: pruimenhout

Technical Wood Properties

Weight fresh/green: approx. 1000–1100 kg/m³
Density air-dry (12–15 % MC): approx. 700–780 kg/m³
Natural durability (EN 350): Class 3–4 – moderately to slightly durable

Occurrence

Plumwood originates from Europe, where it is mainly grown as a fruit tree. Older trees yield small but highly decorative logs used for fine woodworking. Due to its limited size, Plumwood is rare and prized as a European specialty wood.

Trunk and Bark

Tree height up to 10 m, diameter up to 0.4 m. Dark gray bark with longitudinal cracks. Heartwood reddish to violet-brown with fine, silky texture and smooth polish.

Characteristics and Wood Color

Dense, fine-textured, and hard. Color ranges from red-brown to purplish-brown with natural sheen and uniform texture. Takes an excellent polish and is ideal for decorative veneers and fine furniture.

Substitute Woods

Cherry (Prunus avium), Pear (Pyrus communis), Walnut (Juglans regia)

Applications

Used for veneers, furniture, inlays, musical instruments, and fine interior design. Plumwood offers warmth, color depth, and natural elegance – a true artisan’s wood.

References

• Wood Atlas | 7th Edition 2022 | Rudi & André Wagenführ
• GD-Holz Data Sheets – Wood Species | 2020
• Properties and Core Sizes of Wood Species | 1989 | Jürgen Sell / Lignum Switzerland