Sugar Maple (likely)
Acer saccharum • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight, close-grained, with visible coarse fibers from mechanical stripping or hand-carving. Potential for spalt lines visible as dark streaks.
Color Description
Creamy white to light reddish brown sapwood; heartwood is darker reddish brown. Transition areas show grayish-black mineral streaks or early spalting.
Hardness Rating
1,450 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to Perishable; poor resistance to decay and insect attack, especially when sapwood is exposed to moisture.
Common Uses
Flooring, furniture, kitchenware (butcher blocks), tool handles, musical instruments, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Northeastern North America (USA and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$4.00 - $8.00 per board foot for dimensional lumber; negligible for a raw branch of this size.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly harvested or recently fallen branch/sapling (under 1-2 years) based on the tightness of the bark and the moisture still apparent in the wood fibers.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES restricted. FSC certified options are common.
Workability
Usually works well with both hand and machine tools, though it has a high density that can cause burning with high-speed cutters. Glues, turns, and finishes well.
Notable Features
Features dark mineral streaks or spalting indicators. Generally odorless. Sap can be processed into maple syrup. Heavy and stiff for its size.
Finish Recommendations
Responds well to most finishes. Water-based polyurethanes help maintain the white color; oils will yellow the wood significantly over time.
Identification Confidence
Medium. The bark texture (platey and grayish), the pale internal wood color, and the presence of dark streaks (common in Maple) strongly suggest Acer saccharum.