Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Northeastern and Midwestern North America, and southeastern Canada.
- Hardness
- 1,450 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay, rot, and insect attack when exposed to moisture.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly wavy grain with a subtle flat-sawn cathedral pattern and faint light-reflecting chatoyant ripple/curly figure perpendicular to the grain.
Color & Appearance
The sapwood is a creamy off-white with a slight reddish-brown tinge, while the heartwood is a darker reddish-brown. The wood has a fine, uniform texture with moderate natural luster and tends to amber slightly to a golden yellow color over time with UV exposure.
Hardness (Janka)
1,450 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay, rot, and insect attack when exposed to moisture.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 to $8.00 per board foot for standard lumber, higher for figured/curly grades.
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated to be relatively recent, likely milled within the last 1 to 5 years, showing minimal signs of deep oxidation or aging.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices or the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Widely available and sustainably harvested in North America.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, heavy-duty flooring, cabinetry, bowling alley lanes, cutting boards, butcher blocks, and musical instruments (violins, guitar backs and necks).
Geographic Origin
Northeastern and Midwestern North America, and southeastern Canada.
Workability
Can be challenging due to its hardness. Prone to burning during routing or cutting if feed rates are too slow. Glues, turns, and finishes well, though staining can sometimes be blotchy without a pre-conditioner.
Finish Recommendations
Takes clear finishes exceptionally well including water-based or oil-based polyurethane, lacquer, and shellac. A gel stain or wood conditioner is recommended if uniform coloring is desired.
Notable Features
High density, excellent shock resistance, and prized for its acoustic properties and decorative figured variations such as bird's eye and curly grain.
