Spalted Maple (likely Sugar Maple or Red Maple)
Acer saccharum / Acer rubrum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America (United States and Canada).
- Hardness
- 700 - 1,450 lbf (Soft to Hard depending on degree of spalting decay; non-spalted Sugar Maple is 1,450 lbf, Red Maple is 950 lbf).
- Durability
- Non-durable to Slightly Durable. Spalting fungi degrade wood fiber strength; susceptible to insect attack and moisture decay if left unprotected.
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Grain Pattern
Straight to slightly wavy grain featuring prominent spalting with black zone lines and dark fungal decay tracing across the face grain.
Color & Appearance
Pale cream to warm honey-tan background color with dramatic dark brown to pitch-black fine line streaks caused by spalting fungi. Low to medium luster.
Hardness (Janka)
700 - 1,450 lbf (Soft to Hard depending on degree of spalting decay; non-spalted Sugar Maple is 1,450 lbf, Red Maple is 950 lbf).
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable to Slightly Durable. Spalting fungi degrade wood fiber strength; susceptible to insect attack and moisture decay if left unprotected.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $15.00 - $35.00 per board foot (higher value for stabilized book-matched knife scales and specialty craft blanks, around $15-$30 per set).
- Wood Age Estimate
- Modern lumber processing; book-matched knife scale blanks milled from harvested logs in the last 1-5 years, showing fresh finish or oil application.
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN). Highly sustainable species, abundant in native ranges; not CITES listed.
Common Uses
Knife handles, pen blanks, guitar tops, acoustic instrument accents, decorative turnings, box making, inlay work, fine furniture accents, veneer.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (United States and Canada).
Workability
Fair to poor workability depending on softness of spalted areas. punky zones require sharp tools or wood stabilizer (resin infusion) to prevent tearout and crumbling. Takes glue and finishes very well.
Finish Recommendations
Stabilization with cyanoacrylate (CA glue) or vacuum resin infusion recommended first, followed by clear coats like wipe-on polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, or hardwax oils to enhance figure without darkening black lines.
Notable Features
Distinctive dark fungal zone lines (spalting) that create high-contrast decorative patterns. May require resin stabilization due to soft or punky spots caused by fungal activity.
