Soft Maple (Likely Red Maple or Silver Maple)
Acer rubrum or Acer saccharinum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 950 lbf - Medium
- Durability
- Non-durable, with poor resistance to rot and insect attack when exposed to moisture.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular grain with a flat-sawn cathedral pattern visible on the face, accompanied by some minor knot clusters.
Color & Appearance
Pale creamy white to light reddish-brown sapwood with subtle color variation. Low natural luster, tending to yellow slightly over time with age and light exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
950 lbf - Medium
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, with poor resistance to rot and insect attack when exposed to moisture.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.00 to $5.00 per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Relatively recently milled, estimated between 1 to 5 years old based on clean edges and minimal oxidation.
- Sustainability Status
- Abundant and of least concern, not listed on CITES appendices or IUCN red list, widely available as FSC certified.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, interior millwork, turning, boxes, crates, and general utility woodworking.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Planes, turns, and bores well, though prone to burning if fed too slowly during routing or sawing.
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains, dyes, glues, and clear finishes (lacquer, polyurethane, water-based finishes) exceptionally well. Pre-stain conditioner recommended for even coloration.
Notable Features
Handwritten label "maple?" visible on the surface. Fine texture, odorless when dry, and lacks the pronounced heavy figure of Hard (Sugar) Maple.
