Spalted Maple (likely Sugar Maple or Silver Maple)
Acer saccharum / Acer saccharinum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 950 to 1450 lbf (Medium to Hard depending on exact maple species and extent of rot/softening)
- Durability
- Non-durable to Slightly Durable. Spalting is a result of fungal decay, which compromises the structural integrity and rot resistance of the wood.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Irregular grain with heavy spalting, featuring distinct black zone lines (pseudosclerotial plates) and mottled discoloration created by fungal colonization.
Color & Appearance
Creamy white to light golden-yellow background base, heavily contrasted by dark brown to black wandering zone lines and varying shades of gray, tan, and brown patches. Luster is typically low to moderate depending on surface finish.
Hardness (Janka)
950 to 1450 lbf (Medium to Hard depending on exact maple species and extent of rot/softening)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable to Slightly Durable. Spalting is a result of fungal decay, which compromises the structural integrity and rot resistance of the wood.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $10.00 to $25.00+ per board foot depending on the intensity and aesthetic quality of the spalting patterns.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently processed kiln-dried or air-dried lumber (estimated 1 to 5 years since harvesting/milling), though the fungal process within the tree took several years prior to harvest.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices and generally not threatened; widely available through domestic hardwood suppliers.
Common Uses
Decorative veneer, fine furniture accents, bowl turning, knife scales, inlay work, small specialty boxes, and musical instrument components.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Challenging due to varying density. The areas affected by fungus can be punky, soft, and prone to tearing out during planing or routing, while unaffected areas remain hard. Stabilizing with resin or hardening agents is frequently required.
Finish Recommendations
Epoxy stabilization followed by wipe-on polyurethane, lacquer, or shellac. Penetrating oils also work well to enhance the contrast of the zone lines, though a surface film finish is often recommended to seal punky fibers.
Notable Features
Features dramatic natural black zone lines created by competing fungal colonies in decaying wood. Punky areas require stabilization; dust from spalted and fungus-affected wood can be an respiratory irritant.
