Spalted Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Typically straight but featuring high-contrast spalted figure with black zone lines and irregular marbling caused by fungal colonization.
Color Description
Creamy white to light reddish brown base with stark black fungal lines. Spalted areas show some bleaching; heartwood can be darker tan. Low luster due to early decay.
Hardness Rating
1,450 lbf (Hard), though fungal spalting can create soft 'punky' spots that lower resistance locally.
Durability Rating
Non-durable; highly susceptible to rot (the spalting process is itself the first stage of decay). Very low insect resistance.
Common Uses
Musical instruments (electric guitar tops), fine furniture, turnings, bowls, cabinetry, and decorative veneers.
Geographic Origin
Northeastern North America and the Great Lakes region.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$8.00 - $15.00 per board foot depending on figure density and structural integrity.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly harvested or recently fallen timber; the spalting indicates a damp environment for several months to a year prior to drying.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed. Sustainable through FSC sources.
Workability
Generally works well, but spalted areas are prone to tearout and 'fuzzing'. Sharp tools are required to avoid crushing the weakened fibers in the zone lines.
Notable Features
Features unique 'zone lines' created by fungi battling for territory. Can cause respiratory irritation; a mask is essential due to fungal spores.
Finish Recommendations
Sanding sealer or CA glue is often needed to stabilize punky areas. Clear lacquer or oil finishes best highlight the dramatic contrast of the spalt lines.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive black zone lines in a light-colored, fine-grained diffuse-porous hardwood are characteristic of spalted maple.