Curly Maple (specifically Soft Maple variety likely Red Maple)
Acer rubrum • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight but with a highly pronounced curly or 'tiger' figure (fiddleback); this is a compression grain effect perpendicular to the fiber direction.
Color Description
Light reddish-brown to tan heartwood with creamy white sapwood. It features high chatoyance and luster, with the figure appearing to move in the light; it yellows slightly with age.
Hardness Rating
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability Rating
Non-durable to slightly durable; susceptible to insect attack and rot if exposed to moisture/ground contact.
Common Uses
Musical instruments (guitar backs/necks), fine furniture, cabinetry, wood turning, veneer, and cutting boards.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America (USA and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$12.00 to $20.00 per board foot depending on the intensity of the figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or surfaced within the last 1-2 years based on the lack of deep oxidation and light tan surface color.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not CITES listed. FSC certification is common.
Workability
Generally easy to work with hand and machine tools, though the curly figure is prone to tearout during planing and jointer operations. Requires sharp blades and shallow passes.
Notable Features
Features distinct 'fiddleback' figure used in violin making; wood dust can be a mild respiratory irritant; excellent acoustic properties.
Finish Recommendations
Responds exceptionally well to dyes and stains which 'pop' the figure; finishing with oils (Linseed/Tung) or shellac provides a deep, 3D effect.
Identification Confidence
High; the distinctive washboard-like chatoyant figure across a light-colored, fine-pored hardwood is characteristic of figured Acer species.