Sugar Maple (with heavy curly/fiddleback figure)
Acer saccharum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America and Canada.
- Hardness
- 1,450 lbf - Hard
- Durability
- Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay and insect attack when exposed to moisture.
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Grain Pattern
Straight overall with a pronounced transverse curly (fiddleback) figure, creating a striped or undulating chatoyant effect across the face grain.
Color & Appearance
Creamy white to light golden-brown heartwood and sapwood with minimal contrast, moderate natural luster, and striking chatoyancy due to the curly figure. Darkens slightly to a warm amber with age and light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
1,450 lbf - Hard
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay and insect attack when exposed to moisture.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- Moderate to High ($8.00 to $15.00+ per board foot due to the distinct curly figure).
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled lumber, approximately 1 to 5 years old based on surface texture and lack of deep oxidation patina.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices, IUCN Least Concern, widely available and sustainably harvested in North America.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, musical instruments (violins, guitars), cabinetry, flooring, bowling alley lanes, cutting boards, veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America and Canada.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though curly figure can cause tearout during planing if not fed carefully. Sands and finishes exceptionally well.
Finish Recommendations
Takes clear finishes exceptionally well; water-based or oil-based polyurethane, lacquer, or blonde shellac highlight the curly figure. Application of a dye or dark oil can accentuate the chatoyancy.
Notable Features
High density, fine uniform texture, excellent shock resistance, and distinctive chatoyant wavy figure that shifts in appearance under light.
