Curly Maple
Acer saccharum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1450 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Non-durable, highly susceptible to insect attack and decay when exposed to moisture.
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Grain Pattern
Wavy or curly figure running perpendicular to the grain, creating a three-dimensional ribbed or tiger-stripe appearance.
Color & Appearance
Light cream to golden-brown heartwood with paler sapwood, featuring high chatoyance due to the curly figure and mild amber aging over time.
Hardness (Janka)
1450 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, highly susceptible to insect attack and decay when exposed to moisture.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 8.00 to 15.00 USD per board foot depending on figure intensity
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled or kiln-dried lumber, estimated 5-20 years from harvest.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices, IUCN Least Concern, widely available and sustainably harvested in North America.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments (especially violin backs and guitar tops), veneer, and turning.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Can be challenging due to the wavy grain which is prone to tearout during planing and routing; sharp tools and scraping are recommended.
Finish Recommendations
Dye followed by shellac or oil-based finishes works exceptionally well to pop the curly 3D figure, sealed with a clear topcoat.
Notable Features
Exhibits strong chatoyance (optical three-dimensional depth) under light due to the rippled grain orientation.
