Sugar Maple (Hard Maple)
Acer saccharum • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
The sample displays a predominantly straight grain with subtle wavy/curly figure (fiddleback) visible in the upper section. The cut is a live-edge slab with flat-sawn characteristics showing cathedral patterns and some minor gum spots or mineral streaks.
Color Description
Heartwood is a creamy light reddish-brown, while the wide sapwood is a distinct pale off-white to cream color. The wood exhibits a fine, even texture with high natural luster and slight chatoyance in the figured areas. It will typically yellow slightly over time with UV exposure.
Hardness Rating
1,450 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to Slightly Durable; susceptible to insect attack and lacks natural rot resistance, making it unsuitable for outdoor use without treatment.
Common Uses
High-end furniture, flooring (notably basketball courts and bowling alleys), cabinetry, musical instruments (violin backs), cutting boards, and turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Northeastern North America (United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot for live-edge kiln-dried slabs; figured specimens can command significantly higher prices.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled to recently dried (under 2 years); the sapwood remains very bright white and the heartwood lacks the deep amber patina typically found in reclaimed or century-old maple.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Generally considered very sustainable and widely available with FSC certification.
Workability
Generally good with both hand and machine tools, though its high density can cause burning with high-speed router bits. It glues, turns, and finishes well, though figured areas are prone to grain tearout during planing.
Notable Features
Lacks a distinctive odor. Known for excellent acoustic properties and high resistance to abrasion. Some individuals may experience skin irritation from the dust.
Finish Recommendations
Responds excellently to clear film finishes like polyurethane or lacquer to preserve the light color. To pop the figure, a light coat of shellac or tung oil is recommended before a topcoat.
Identification Confidence
High; the creamy white sapwood transitioning to light reddish-brown heartwood, combined with the specific 'fiddleback' wavy figure and tight, closed-pore structure, is characteristic of North American Sugar Maple.