Maple Burl
Acer spp. · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- North America and Europe (depending on the specific maple species, such as Bigleaf Maple or Sugar Maple)
- Hardness
- 1450 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Non-durable to Slightly Durable; susceptible to rot and insect attack if left untreated
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Grain Pattern
Burl figure with highly swirling, chaotic, and irregular eye formations
Color & Appearance
Warm golden brown to reddish tan tones with rich depth, high chatoyance, and darker swirling eye clusters; typically darkens slightly to a richer amber hue with age and UV exposure
Hardness (Janka)
1450 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable to Slightly Durable; susceptible to rot and insect attack if left untreated
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 15 to 30 USD per board foot for standard lumber, significantly higher for stabilized burl blocks suited for knife handles
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern custom-stabilized wood sample, estimated less than 5 years old in its current finished form
- Sustainability Status
- Generally abundant and sustainable, not listed on CITES appendices or IUCN red lists for threatened species
Common Uses
Knife handles, custom grips, high-end furniture accents, veneer, turning, inlay work, and luxury decorative items
Geographic Origin
North America and Europe (depending on the specific maple species, such as Bigleaf Maple or Sugar Maple)
Workability
Can be challenging due to the swirling burl grain which easily tears out; however, highly stabilized resin-infused burl cuts and sands smoothly with sharp carbide tools
Finish Recommendations
Polyurethane, CA glue (cyanoacrylate) finish, or durable polymer finishes over stabilized wood to highlight the deep chatoyancy and protect against moisture
Notable Features
Exhibits intense chatoyance and complex multi-directional grain patterns from abnormal bud growths, often stabilized with resin for knife making
