Silver Maple (Soft Maple)
Acer saccharinum • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Generally straight but can be wavy; the sample shows flat-sawn cathedral patterns on the face and clear growth rings on the end grain. Some ambrosia beetle scarring is present creating small streaks.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to medium reddish brown; sapwood is pale off-white to cream. This sample shows significant 'blue stain' or sap stain from fungal growth during drying, which creates gray-blue streaks.
Hardness Rating
700 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; perishable regarding decay resistance and susceptible to insect attack.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, boxes/crates, pallets, musical instruments (backs), and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$3.50 - $5.50 per board foot
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to 2 years old; minimal oxidation or UV darkening is visible, though sap staining suggest it sat damp before drying.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and sustainable.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It planes and sands well,though it can be prone to burning with high-speed cutters. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Often confused with Hard Maple but significantly lighter and softer. Known for rapid growth and susceptibility to sapwood staining/streaking (ambrosia or fungal).
Finish Recommendations
Takes all finishes well. A clear polyurethane or lacquer is recommended to preserve the light color, though blotching can occur with stains unless a sealer is used.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of diffused-porous end grain, light cream color with distinct blue-gray fungal staining, and soft-maple grain structure is characteristic of Acer saccharinum.