Silver Maple (Soft Maple)
Acer saccharinum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 700 lbf (Soft)
- Durability
- Non-durable; perishable regarding decay resistance and susceptible to insect attack.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
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 & Appearance
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 (Janka)
700 lbf (Soft)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable; perishable regarding decay resistance and susceptible to insect attack.
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.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, boxes/crates, pallets, musical instruments (backs), and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
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.
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.
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).
