Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Typically straight but can be wavy or curly. Fine, even texture with a closed grain structure. Notable for potential bird's eye or quilted figures in specific specimens.
Color Description
Sapwood is a creamy white to off-white with a golden hue; heartwood is reddish brown. Sugar maple is highly sought after for its white sapwood. It tends to yellow slightly with age and UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,450 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Slightly Durable to Non-durable. It is susceptible to insect attack and rot if exposed to moisture, though it is highly resistant to abrasion.
Common Uses
Flooring (especially basketball courts and bowling alleys), furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments (piano frames and violin backs), cutting boards, and tool handles.
Geographic Origin
Northeastern North America (United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot depending on grade and figure; highly figured pieces (birdseye) can exceed $30.00.
Wood Age Estimate
Based on the bark texture and trunk diameter in the image, the standing tree is estimated to be 40 to 60 years old.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widespread availability and generally considered sustainable with FSC certification common. Not CITES listed.
Workability
Fairly easy to work with machine tools, though it has a high tendency to burn with high-speed cutters (like router bits). Glues and finishes well, though staining can sometimes be blotchy without a sealer.
Notable Features
Lacks a distinctive odor. Known for its high sugar content in sap (maple syrup). Extremely high resistance to wear and abrasion makes it a premier flooring material.
Finish Recommendations
Water-based polyurethanes help maintain the white color; oils like linseed or tung will enhance figure but yellow the wood. Pre-stain conditioners are recommended for dark stains.
Identification Confidence
High. The gray-brown bark with deep irregular furrows and flat-topped ridges, combined with the presence of North American forest undergrowth, is diagnostic for Acer saccharum.