Soft Maple (likely Silver Maple or Red Maple)
Acer saccharinum / Acer rubrum · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Hardness
- 950 lbf (Medium)
- Durability
- Non-durable; highly susceptible to rot and insect attack if not properly dried and sealed.
Got a wood sample like this?
Identify any wood from a photo, free.
Grain Pattern
Generally straight and uniform but can be slightly wavy near knots; features a flat-sawn cathedral pattern near the bottom knot and significant ambrosia (fungal) staining streaks throughout.
Color & Appearance
Creamy white to off-white sapwood with greyish-brown heartwood streaks. The sample shows characteristic blue/grey fungal staining (ambrosia) and will likely age to a golden yellow or light amber over time.
Hardness (Janka)
950 lbf (Medium)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Non-durable; highly susceptible to rot and insect attack if not properly dried and sealed.
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- $4.00 - $7.00 per board foot (varies by figure and presence of ambrosia staining)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Freshly milled/surfaced; modern stock with minimal natural patina, likely harvested within the last 1-3 years.
- Sustainability Status
- Not listed on CITES or IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in North America.
Common Uses
Furniture, cabinetry, boxes/crates, pallets, musical instrument parts, and decorative live-edge slabs.
Geographic Origin
Eastern North America
Workability
Generally easy to work with both hand and machine tools; however, it is prone to burning if using dull saw blades or high router speeds. Glues and finishes well.
Finish Recommendations
Water-based polyurethanes to maintain the light color, or wiping oils (like Danish oil) to highlight the ambrosia streaks and cathedral grain.
Notable Features
Contains "Ambrosia" markings, which are discolorations caused by ambrosia beetles; mild sweet scent when freshly cut; low toxicity but dust can be a respiratory irritant.
