American Hard Maple |
Name |
Acer saccharum |
Origin |
Northeastern North America |
Colour |
Unlike most other hardwoods, the sapwood of hard maple lumber is most commonly used rather than its heartwood. Sapwood color ranges from nearly white, to an off-white cream color, sometimes with a reddish or golden hue. The heartwood tends to be a darker reddish-brown. Hard maple can also be seen with curly or quilted grain patterns. |
Grain |
The grain is generally straight but may be wavy. Has a fine, even texture. |
Rot Resistance |
Rated as non-durable to perishable, and susceptible to insect attack. |
Typical Applications |
Flooring (from basketball courts and dance-floors to bowling alleys and residential), veneer, paper (pulpwood), musical instruments, cutting boards, butcher blocks, workbenches, baseball bats, and other turned objects and specialty wood items. |
Density |
740 kg/m³ average |
Workability |
Fairly easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Maple has a tendency to burn when being machined with high-speed cutters such as in a router. Turns, glues, and finishes well, though blotches can occur when staining, and a pre-conditioner, gel stain, or toner may be necessary to get an even color. |