Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Northeastern and Midwestern North America
- Hardness
- 1450 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay and insect attack
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Grain Pattern
Straight with a distinct curly figure running perpendicular to the grain
Color & Appearance
Light cream to golden-yellow sapwood with pale reddish-brown heartwood, exhibiting chatoyancy from the curly figure and aging to a warm amber over time
Hardness (Janka)
1450 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay and insect attack
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $6.00 to $12.00 per board foot for curly figure
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled kiln-dried lumber, approximately 1-5 years old
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES or IUCN red lists, widely available and sustainably managed
Common Uses
High-end furniture, cabinetry, flooring, musical instruments, and turning
Geographic Origin
Northeastern and Midwestern North America
Workability
Can be challenging due to the curly grain causing tearout on planers; burns easily during routing or sawing if feeds are too slow
Finish Recommendations
Takes oil finishes exceptionally well to pop the curly chatoyancy, followed by a protective coat of polyurethane or lacquer
Notable Features
Features distinct tiger-stripe or curly chatoyant figuring caused by undulating grain fibers
