Ambrosia Maple (Red Maple/Silver Maple)
Acer rubrum / Acer saccharinum • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Closed, generally straight or slightly wavy with cathedral figures visible; characterized by oblong beetle galleries and dark fungal staining streaks.
Color Description
Sapwood is creamy white to light grayish tan; heartwood is gray-brown. Features distinctive gray-to-brown streaks and 'ghosting' caused by the symbiotic ambrosia fungus.
Hardness Rating
950 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; perishable with low resistance to rot and fungal decay without treatment.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, turned objects, bowls, flooring, and decorative veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America / Temperate regions of the United States and Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$5.00 - $8.00 per board foot depending on the intensity of the ambrosia figuring.
Wood Age Estimate
Recently milled lumber (within the last 1-2 years) based on lack of UV oxidation and fresh machining marks.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; not CITES listed and labeled as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN; widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Good with both hand and machine tools. Planes well, though the mineral-stained sections can be slightly harder on blades; glues and finishes very easily.
Notable Features
Features small holes (beetle galleries) surrounded by 'stained' wood; lacks significant scent; known for being a softer maple variety compared to Sugar Maple.
Finish Recommendations
Best with clear film-building finishes like lacquer or polyurethane to highlight the colors; avoid heavy stains which can muddy the natural fungal patterns.
Identification Confidence
High; the presence of distinct oblong fungal streaks associated with boring beetle holes in a light-colored, closed-grain hardwood is definitive for Ambrosia Maple.