Sugar Maple (Curly / Tiger Maple figure)
Acer saccharum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Northeastern North America (Eastern United States and Canada)
- Hardness
- 1,450 lbf (Hard classification)
- Durability
- Non-durable to Slightly Durable against decay/insects if exposed to moisture, but highly resilient for dry interior carved utensils
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain overlaying strong curl figure (fiddleback/tiger stripe pattern visible horizontally across the vertical grain)
Color & Appearance
Light to medium tan-brown naturally, though this carved spoon shows heavy oxidation, charring/burning around the upper rim, and dark patina from age, cooking use, and organic oils
Hardness (Janka)
1,450 lbf (Hard classification)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable to Slightly Durable against decay/insects if exposed to moisture, but highly resilient for dry interior carved utensils
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $12.00 - $25.00 per board foot for high-figured Curly Maple lumber
- Wood Age Estimate
- Estimated 30 to 70+ years old based on heavy darkening, utensil wear, hand-carving or vintage turning marks, and surface oxidation
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN). Highly sustainable, abundant in North America, widely FSC-certified, not CITES listed
Common Uses
Wooden kitchen utensils (spoons, bowls, cutting boards), fine furniture, musical instrument backs and necks (violins, guitars), turned objects, flooring
Geographic Origin
Northeastern North America (Eastern United States and Canada)
Workability
Excellent for hand carving and turning, though highly figured grain can lead to tearout when planed with machine tools; sands extremely smooth
Finish Recommendations
Food-grade mineral oil, beeswax, or pure tung oil for carved cooking utensils; film finishes like lacquer or varnish for non-culinary objects
Notable Features
Distinctive curly/fiddleback horizontal figure; non-toxic and food-safe making it historical ideal for kitchenware; diffuse-porous structure with fine uniform texture
