Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 1,450 lbf (Hard)
- Durability
- Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay and insect attack when exposed to moisture
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a fine, uniform texture and a subtle flat-sawn cathedral pattern
Color & Appearance
Creamy white to light golden-brown sapwood with slight reddish-brown tinges in the heartwood, displaying a moderate natural luster
Hardness (Janka)
1,450 lbf (Hard)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable, highly susceptible to decay and insect attack when exposed to moisture
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $3.00 to $6.00 per board foot
- Wood Age Estimate
- Relatively recent, estimated at 1 to 5 years old based on clean, unblemished surfaces and minimal oxidation
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES appendices, IUCN Least Concern, widely available and sustainably managed
Common Uses
Fine furniture, flooring, cabinetry, bowling alley lanes, cutting boards, and musical instruments
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though it can burn easily during routing or cutting due to friction and has a tendency to tear out with irregular grain
Finish Recommendations
Takes stains and finishes exceptionally well, though a pre-stain wood conditioner is recommended to prevent blotchiness; accepts water-based and oil-based polyurethane, lacquer, or oil finishes
Notable Features
Known for high shock resistance, density, fine uniform texture, and occasionally displaying unique figures like bird's eye or curly grain
