Spalted Maple (Sugar Maple or Silver Maple)
Acer saccharum / Acer saccharinum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 950 lbf to 1450 lbf (Medium to Hard depending on exact maple species and extent of spalting)
- Durability
- Non-durable (spalting actually degrades the structural integrity and decay resistance of the wood)
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly irregular grain with prominent spalt lines (zone lines created by fungi)
Color & Appearance
Pale cream to light golden-brown background with contrasting black and dark brown demarcation lines caused by fungal decay
Hardness (Janka)
950 lbf to 1450 lbf (Medium to Hard depending on exact maple species and extent of spalting)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable (spalting actually degrades the structural integrity and decay resistance of the wood)
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- 8.00 to 15.00 dollars per board foot due to decorative figure
- Wood Age Estimate
- Recently milled lumber, estimated 1 to 5 years since drying, though the spalting process itself took several years in a moist environment
- Sustainability Status
- Not threatened, widely abundant, not listed on CITES appendices or IUCN red list
Common Uses
Fine furniture, decorative boxes, bowl turning, musical instruments, veneer, and accent panels
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, but spalted areas can be punky and fragile, requiring stabilization with resin or CA glue
Finish Recommendations
Wipe-on poly, lacquer, or oil finishes work well to highlight the contrast of the spalt lines; sealers or epoxies are often needed for soft, punky areas
Notable Features
Features distinct black zone lines and marbled coloration caused by competing fungi in decaying wood; requires careful handling due to fungal spore dust
