Spalted Maple (Ambrosia Maple)
Acer saccharum (Hard Maple) or Acer rubrum (Soft Maple) • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Spalted and figured; features erratic black lines (zone lines) from fungal colonization and small circular holes with vertical streaking caused by Ambrosia beetles. Grain is generally straight but can be wavy.
Color Description
Sapwood is a creamy off-white to light gray, while heartwood is deeper reddish-brown. Displays distinct gray-to-black streaks and colorful staining around beetle holes. Luster is generally low to medium; tends to yellow slightly with age.
Hardness Rating
700 lbf to 1,450 lbf (Soft to Hard depending on specific species and degree of decay)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; very susceptible to rot and insect attack (which is what creates the unique aesthetic)
Common Uses
Turned objects (bowls), decorative furniture, electric guitar tops, cabinetry, paneling, and specialty wood crafts.
Geographic Origin
Temperate regions of North America, primarily the Eastern United States and Canada.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $20.00 per board foot depending on the intensity of the spalting and beetle figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled but from a seasoned or fallen log. The presence of clear beetle exit holes and spalting indicates the log sat in a damp environment for 1-3 years before processing.
Sustainability Status
Sustainable; species are not CITES listed or on the IUCN Red List. FSC certified sources are widely available.
Workability
Generally good, but the beetle holes and spalted (rotted) areas can be soft or 'punky,' leading to tearout or uneven sanding. Requires sharp tools and sometimes a wood stabilizer or CA glue.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'Ambrosia' streaks caused by fungi carried by beetles; unique black 'zone lines' where different fungi met; light weight for a hardwood when spalting is advanced.
Finish Recommendations
Clear coats like polyurethane, lacquer, or oils are recommended to highlight the contrast. A sanding sealer is often necessary to prevent 'starving' the finish in softer spalted areas.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of black fungal zone lines and the specific size and staining of the Ambrosia beetle holes is characteristic of Spalted/Ambrosia Maple.