There are approximately 128 species of maple. Workability: Fairly easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though slightly more difficult than soft maple due to hard maple’s higher density. For this reason, it’s generally best to purchase sets all at once versus building a collection a little at a time, as pieces added later will have a slightly different hue. Sugar maple, large tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to eastern North America and widely grown as an ornamental and shade tree. Because maple wood has such tightly knit grain, it doesn’t absorb oil finishes as well as other furniture hardwoods. Maple wood is incredibly strong, looks great, and stains nicely. We also carry Bush Oil and Penofin. Sustainably harvested North American wood. Dense / fine textured wood Birdseye Maple is Sugar Maple with a unique figure pattern giving it the appearance of eyes. Maple wood is a medium-hard to hard wood. Characteristics –Black cherry is Uses –Furniture is the exception of bigleaf maple, which grows on the West Coast. Rather than sanding which is messy (dusty – with finish dust that is likely more toxic to lungs than just wood dust), my tool of choice is a rectangular hand scraper (aka: cabinet scraper – Lee Valley carries sets of these). Find the perfect Maple Wood stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. MFMA-RL Utility Grade Northern Hard Maple will not admit voids on edges or ends, or knot holes over 3/8" in The wood of maples is often divided into two classes-hard maple and soft maple. The wood is a great choice for anyone looking to use it in a fireplace or wood furnace. Polywood collection, how Learn more about the different wood finishes we offer and how For more information, please see the article on the Differences Between Hard Maple and Soft Maple. This is followed by red oak at 1,290 Janka, Open-grain woods (oak, hickory) tend to show more than fine-grained species (maple, cherry). Sugar maple’s leaves (pictured below) are the shape that most people associate with maple leaves; they typically have either 5 or 7 lobes, with vivid autumn coloring ranging from yellow to purplish red. Wood 5–21 Natural Characteristics Affecting Mechanical Properties 5–26 Specific Gravity 5–26 Knots 5–26 Slope of Grain 5–28 Annual Ring Orientation 5–31 Reaction Wood 5–31 Juvenile Wood 5–32 … The main characteristics of maple wood for finishing, staining, and woodworking. Listed below you will find a photograph, common characteristics, and common uses of the most popular lumber varieties that we stock. Maple tree is plant that belongs to the family Sapindaceae. ... For example, a cubic foot of oak weighs considerably more than the same volume of soft maple. Grain/Texture: Grain is generally straight, but may be wavy. darkens with age if nottreated with finishing oils that will prevent oxidation Depending on the species they will either have 3 or 5 “fingers”. In theory, you could put maple wood furniture outdoors if it’s properly sealed and maintained on at least an annual basis. made-to-order, so you can customize to your heart’s content. You could also try wood burning for effect. Wood of maple is used in the industry of music instruments for the production of violins, viola, guitars and drums. The wood used for furniture available through Vermont Woods Studios is usually from the sugar maple tree, unless otherwise specified. However, the elements would ultimately take their toll and the upkeep to minimize weathering and aging Anyways, check it out. Characteristics of Hard Maple Origin of Wood Type Eastern North America Botanical Name Acer saccharum Specific Gravity 0.72 Avg. For instance, maple can be temperamental to finish and is susceptible to shrinkage because of expansion and contraction due to seasonal humidity fluctuations. Bigleaf maple is common in the Pacific northwest United States. Surface energy characteristics of maple wood particles coated with polystyrene- acrylic acid (PSAA) block copolymer Magnus Wålinder 1 and Douglas J. Gardner 2 1 SP Trätek/EcoBuild, Stockholm, Sweden, KTH, Building These products can be used on a variety of our wood products The sapwood ranges from an off-white cream color to nearly white, on Our all-weather Rot Resistance: Rated as non-durable to perishable, and susceptible to insect attack. Another figured maple wood is spalted maple, which has dark veins caused by a pattern of rot or bacteria in the wood. Wood Species' Qualities & Characteristics When choosing a wood species for your cabinets it's important to understand the various qualities and attributes of the different wood species. It tops most other hardwood types that are popular with furniture makers. Wood grain, pin holes, knots and mineral streaks may remain visible as a dark area or texture under painted finishes. It’s not a reference to the wood’s ability to Hardwoods include cherry, Hard maple (from a sugar maple tree) rates 1,450 Janka. Sapwood color ranges from nearly white, to an off-white cream color, sometimes with a reddish or golden hue. Maple wood is incredibly strong, looks great, and stains nicely. Maple … That means That’s because you have Cocobolo, Verawood, Lignum Vitae, etc. American hard maple, as the name suggests, is a hard, heavy wood with a fine texture that is high in all strength properties except for stiffness, which is medium. Maple trees are a hardwood and are known for their beautiful fall colors as well as the fact that they are used to make maple syrup. They make baseball bats out of it. Technically, hardwood refers to wood harvested from a dicot tree, such as a broadleaf variety. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Softwoods include things like fir, pine, and cedar. Watch video of wood finish being applied. Color/Appearance: Unlike most other hardwoods, the sapwood of hard maple lumber is most commonly used rather than its heartwood. Are mpingo and hard maple suitable for such a staff? When Brown maple draws in a lot of fans since it’s as attractive and strong as cherry wood, but it doesn’t cost as much. Light-colored wood, such as maple, will naturally darken due to exposure to UV light and oxygen. All have a few common characteristics that make them stand out from other types of trees. Birch and maple are domestic hardwoods with similar characteristics and appearances, but they do have variations. Allergies/Toxicity: Hard maple, along with other maples in the Acer genus have been reported to cause skin irritation, runny nose, and asthma-like respiratory effects. Silver maple … It has a tendency to crack but is also very firm and relatively elastic. The extremely hard, tough surface of maple which takes on a higher polish as it is subjected to wear has made it a remarkable material for floors. > Hardwoods > Sapindaceae > Acer > saccharum, Common Name(s): Hard maple, sugar maple, rock maple, Average Dried Weight: 44.0 lbs/ft3 (705 kg/m3), Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .56, .71, Modulus of Rupture: 15,800 lbf/in2(109.0 MPa), Elastic Modulus: 1,830,000 lbf/in2(12.62 GPa), Crushing Strength: 7,830 lbf/in2 (54.0 MPa). Although called “soft maple,” it’s really only about 25% softer than But maple … Here we see a maple dining table made with curly maple. the grain has added character like this, it’s referred to as “figured.” Figured wood usually results from some kind of strain, injury, or disease in the tree as it grows. I purchased a hard rock maple dining room talbe about 20 years ago. Maple is often used as an ingredient in a multi-wood body, where it is generally partnered with a second, lighter wood. I’d also like to incorporate stone inlays and designs via a Dremel tool. Until the turn of the century, the heels of women's shoes were made from maple… Veneers are rotary sliced. Copyright © 2008-2020 Eric Meier | All Rights Reserved, Differences Between Hard Maple and Soft Maple. Comments: In tree form, hard maple is usually referred to as sugar maple, and is the tree most often tapped for maple syrup. The sugar maple sometimes develops a slightly conical form, while the red maple has a pyramidal crown with ascending branches when it’s young and develops a more rounded canopy as it matures. Mineral Streaks. Looks pretty expensive off the bat but it only takes one coat and has a great spread rate. There are hundreds of types of maple trees across the globe. options, such as mahogany or cherry. Hard Maple wood, which is also referred to as Sugar Maple, Rock Maple and White Maple Wood, comes from the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S. Hard maple is harder and has more density than birch. Identifying and Using Hundreds of Woods Worldwide, POSTER: Worldwide Woods: Ranked by Hardness. purchase wood samples on product pages. Characteristics include random sized tight knots It’s unique color, smooth grain, and strength make maple a popular choice among woodworkers of all types. Yellow birch is a pale yellow-to-white wood with reddish-brown heartwood, whereas white birch has a whiter color that resembles maple. “hard” maple, the concept of wood hardness here in south america is so different, quebracho wood is tree+ times harder than this “hard” maple. Alongside maple, mahogany is a classic ingredient in both slab and multi-wood (or laminated) bodies, and is a common neck wood, too. For example, white oak is the next in line at 1,360 Janka. Hi Ned, I’ve worked with a hardwax oil that is VOC-free, only takes 1 coat, has tons of colors, and only cures/dries to wood fibers. Polywood collection It’s easy to spot repair too which is really nice. Spalted maple wood is very decorative as it often looks like a pen and ink drawing through the wood. The sugar maple, or hard maple, is only native throughout the northern United States and parts of Canada. Read more about the Janka Values of North American Hardwoods. We have many wood species to choose from, each having various densities, colors and grain patterns. specified, however, our furniture will be made with hard maple that has a generally straight grain, rather than with figured maple. Open-grain woods (oak, hickory) tend to show more than fine-grained species (maple… It is the most common wood … These trees germinate best in cold weather that's at least 1°C (34°F). Ambrosia maple wood, for example, gets its name from the ambrosia beetle. Arrangement: solitary and radial multiples, Vessels: small to medium; moderately numerous to numerous, Rays: both narrow and wide; normal spacing. Moreover, maple wood can be stained to look like other wood types, such as mahogany. displayed as pounds of force or as a number followed by the word “Janka.”. If you’re shopping for maple wood furniture, look for the following: The care guidelines for maple wood furniture are mostly dependent on the type of finish used to seal the wood. Rustic maple may include any one, or combination of, the following characteristics: Knots; Burled grain; Dramatic color contrast; Carmelizing; Mineral streaks; Wane; As with any rustic wood, these characteristics occur naturally, and no two pieces are alike. The wood of maples is often divided into two classes-hard maple and soft maple. Not only do the trees grow in abundance, but those used by our craftsmen are also typically sourced locally and are always harvested in a sustainable way. Both hard maple and soft maple are harvested from dicot trees, so both types are technically hardwoods. Hard maple, or sugar maple, is the most durable of the maple species with a janka value of 1,450, which makes it one of the hardest domestic woods used in furniture making. withstand force, scratches, or dents. Forest. There are many varieties of soft maple wood, though the most common are the striped maple, silver maple, red maple, bigleaf maple, and box elder. Two types of maple -- hard and soft -- offer endless possibilities for many commercial and residential projects, including new cabinets, doors and flooring. Brown maple offers hardness that’s similar to the solid strength you can rely on from cherry wood. Types of Maple Wood There are two major kinds of maple wood. One of the oldest known ones is the “Comfort Maple” of Canada. This involves pressing a steel ball into a block of wood and measuring the amount of force required for the ball to become embedded halfway. Only one species extends to the Southern Hemisphere. I want to make a decorative staff of black wood and white wood that can be carved and fashioned. Clear wood specimens are usually considered “homogeneous” in wood mechanics. Images: Drag the slider up/down to toggle between raw and finished wood. Janka. All the soft maple … As the years pass, even a white maple piece will develop a honey-gold patina. More maple would have to be cut and used to get the same … In fact, the two species are so similar that toward the east coast. Sapele Wood has many characteristics that resemble Mahogany, most notably in the color of its heartwood ( golden to dark reddish brown, darkens with age if not treated with finishing oils that will prevent oxidation),grain patterns. Wood Properties by Type CHERRY Moderately hard and heavy, strong and stiff High shock resistance Fine to medium, uniform grain Moderately large shrinkage during seasoning, dimensionally stable OAK Heavy, hard and stiff Learn more about our wood types on our wood page, or use the links below to read about specific types: Vermont Woods Studios provides hand-crafted wood furniture built from trees grown sustainably in North America. The wood is difficult to split but produces a hot fire. popular choice for wood baseball bats before being largely replaced by Ash, which is equally as strong but more lightweight. It will not admit voids on edges or ends, or knot holes over 3/8” in diameter; partially unsound knots where … From Taxidermy Mount Lumber, Table Top Slabs A soft, light wood with even texture and straight grain that accepts stain well. We also carry Bush Oil and Penofin. Birdseye maple is a figure found most commonly in hard maple, though it’s also found less frequently in other species. Hard maple ought to be considered the king of the Acer genus. Although there are dozens of species of maple trees around the globe, the species most common among American woodworkers is Hard Maple (aka Sugar Maple or Rock Maple). It grows as far west as Minnesota, brushing down through Missouri, then dips as low as Tennessee before sweeping back upward Ultra Violet Effects on Wood Natural sunlight contains Ultra Violet (UV) light rays that may affect the appearance of your cabinets. Janka Values of North American Hardwoods. Both types of birch have a hardness of 4 on a scale of 1 to 5. Soft maple is very similar to hard maple in most respects. Maple wood is often graded based on physical and aesthetic characteristics. Also, hard maple has a greater diversity of ray widths when looking at the endgrain (ranging from narrow to wide rays), while most other maples native to North America have more uniform medium-width rays. FYI: I receive a commission on sales generated through links to Amazon, eBay, etc. It is time to refinish the table top. Different types of furniture, baseball bats, bowling pins and butcher’s blocks are often made of maple … Pros and Cons: When compared to white oak, red oak is not quite as resistant to decay, but both woods are considered to be very strong and resistant to dents and scratches. The first one is hard maple, which is a dense kind of wood that can be found in the northern U.S., among other places. That said, it can easily be stained many different hues to suit any preferred style or decor. The variance is what makes rustic wood … Pale yellow (tan) to reddish brown in color. Maple has a tendency to burn when being machined with high-speed cutters such as in a router. So, choosing something like maple which is local and grows in abundance is a smarter choice for someone concerned about the earth. The heartwood tends to be a darker reddish brown. Skilled use of this tool means you can scrape once and begin to refinish, compared to sanding where you’d have to use a… Read more ». Oil finishes also tend to cause maple to yellow slightly over time. These finishes are low maintenance and generally care-free. Our showroom is currently closed due to Covid-19. Maple Wood The American species of maple are divided into two groups: Hard maple, which includes sugar and black maple; and soft maple, which includes red and silver maple. Unfortunately for lovers of maple wood, that natural resistance isn't a characteristic of maple, a hardwood that is otherwise an excellent choice for furniture construction. Wood has many other interesting characteristics. characteristics such as growth rings that occurred in consis-tent patterns within each piece. There are many different species of maple trees. Finding high-quality maple wood furniture isn’t always easy, simply because some manufacturers cut corners and/or don’t use natural solid wood. Woodworkers and furniture aficionados gravitate towards maple for its light, creamy color, smooth grain pattern, and impressive durability. For the average homeowner, the differences may not be significant, but when you consider cost, the variance may add up. Unlike maple, mahogany harvesting is responsible for a great deal of deforestation throughout the Caribbean and Central and South America, and is A softwood, on the other hand, comes from a gymnosperm tree, such as a conifer. Hardness is arguably one of the most misunderstood things about wood in general, but maple wood adds to the confusion. As for the classics, the Gibson Les Paul Jr., Les Paul Special, and SG were made of solid mahogany (with mahogany necks), and countless makers have used the wood … The term “soft maple” is used as an umbrella term to describe several different species of maple trees. to care for each one, positive Rustic maple may include any one, or combination of, the following characteristics: Knots Burled grain Dramatic color contrast Carmelizing Mineral streaks Wane As with any rustic wood, these characteristics occur naturally, and no ¶ When we think of maple the first use to which the wood is put is the only one which occurs to us. All Maple trees drop their leaves in the winter. Not merely cut. With that in mind, red maple, which technically is a “soft maple wood,” is not far behind, coming in at 950 Janka. I also need to refinish a dining room table fairly soon. given piece in maple. pattern, producing wavy lines known as "flames". The heartwood … However, maple wood is often stained to look like costlier Finally, I’ll want to coat the staff with polyurethane so that it stands up to knocks, bumps, hand oil, and dirt as it will be occasionally used. Sapwood color ranges from nearly white, to an off-white cream color, sometimes with a reddish or golden hue. Stains bring out the mineral streaks more, so you’ll not only see them more often in a stained piece, but they’ll be darker too. craftspeople, American economies, and preserving wildlife habitat. A fungus is responsible for the blue, gray and brown streaks and decorative (A special thanks to Steve Earis for providing the wood sample (burl) of this wood species.). > Hardwoods > Sapindaceae > Acer > Related species. Fluorescence: A Secret Weapon in Wood Identification, Bow Woods (from a mathematical perspective), Brazilian Rosewood, East Indian, and Other Rosewoods, Genuine Lignum Vitae and Argentine Lignum Vitae, BOOK: WOOD! Generally, the sapwood is greyish-white, sometimes with darker-colored pith flecks. would likely deter most from trying. Maple wood is commonly used in high-end furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and kitchen accessories. With so many maple wood products on the market, people are often curious about its many uses and how it compares to other wood types. Maple wood is a good choice for indoor furniture. Includes results available with selected plan: Includes results available with selected plans: Includes results not available with your plan. Color/Appearance: Unlike most other hardwoods, the sapwood of hard maple lumber is most commonly used rather than its heartwood. Flat face with no openings in the surface. All-maple bodies aren’t unheard of—although the weight is usually off-putting—and, on its own, a maple body produces an extremely bright, precise tone with tight lows. reviews and testimonials, a purchase from Vermont Woods Studios is one you count on to make you smile for years. mimics the look and feel of real wood but is crafted with recycled high-density plastic, so it’s maintenance-free and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Of course, whatever woods I use must be worked into the shape of a staff. Whereas many trees are prized by woodworkers for their heartwood, it’s usually the sapwood of maple that’s used in fine wood furniture. A fine-grained hardwood similar to Cherry, Birch, and Maple. Soft maple … Maple wood has a fine, uniform texture with generally straight grain, but variations such as birdseye, tiger, flame, curly, wavy, rippled or fiddleback grain occur and are often selected for specialty custom artisan furniture. Wood grain, pin holes, knots and mineral streaks may remain visible as a dark area or texture under painted finishes. Unlike cherry, maple, and oak (which all darken in color as they age), walnut wood will actually lighten slightly over time. These products can be used on a variety of our wood … You can oak, Flame maple (tiger maple), also known as flamed maple, curly maple, ripple maple, fiddleback or tiger stripe, is a feature of maple in which the growth of the wood fibers is distorted in an undulating chatoyant pattern, producing wavy lines known as "flames". Sugar Maple is perfect wood for your staff. Characteristics –Black cherry is Uses –Furniture is the exception of bigleaf maple, which grows on the West Coast. It’s estimated to be more than 500-years-old and is 80 feet tall with a trunk circumference of 20 feet. It tends to be a white hue with pitch fleck and mineral streaks adding some It’s also used in single-wood bodies. A few of the most common questions are answered below. considered “vulnerable.” Much of the mahogany trade today is still illegal. We believe that where your furniture comes from, and how it's made are just as important as style, functionality and beauty. Hard Maple wood, which is also referred to as Sugar Maple, Rock Maple and White Maple Wood, comes from the Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S.The sapwood ranges from an off-white cream … Characteristics of Various Hardwoods Woodworkers choose a type of hardwood based on the wood's characteristics … Wood Characteristics Lewis Lumber Products carries a variety of Hardwood and Softwood species, and many types of Exotics. The wood has a close, fine texture and is generally straight-grained. Box elder —Distinct from other maple leaves, box elder is sometimes called “ash-leaved maple,” since its leaves look closer to ash than … Just select maple in the product's wood choice drop-down menu or call us to ask if we can build a patch work that accompany each tunnel and adjacent wood. Mechanical Properties of Clear Straight-Grained Wood 4–26 Natural Characteristics Affecting Mechanical Properties 4–27 Specific Gravity 4–27 Knots 4–27 Slope of Grain 4–28 Annual Ring Orientation 4–30 Reaction Wood 4–31 ... Maple… Distribution: Temperate regions of North America Average Dried Weight: 30.2 to 38.0 lbs/ft 3 (485 to 610 kg/m 3 ) depending on species This aging process isn’t as dramatic of a change as some other woods we offer, and it can be stayed somewhat with an oil finish , which saturates the grain and adds a slight honey tint that comes out in greater detail as the piece ages and more oil is applied. In fact, it’s the official state tree and is native to the Green Mountain Because it grows in abundance here, most of our craftsmen source wood locally. I have a Maple Burl flute made by Brent Haines of Woodsounds. Sugar maple will produce 24.0 million BTU's per cord. Maple is beautiful in its natural state, as the grain, pitch flecks, and mineral deposits add authentic character to a piece. Character Wood from Thelumbershack.com offers a Large Selection of Figured Black Walnut Lumber, Spalted Maple Slabs, Live Edge Furniture and Bookmatched Dining Table Tops. Most of our handmade fine furniture is available in maple wood, even if it's shown in cherry, walnut or ash on our website. The durability of wood is usually measured using the Janka Test. Identification: See the article on Hardwood Anatomy for definitions of endgrain features. Characteristics of Firewood Wood species Million BTU’s per cord Spark characteristics Ease of starting Red /Black Oak 24.4 few difficult White /Bur Oak 26.5 few difficult Shagbark Hickory 28.6 some moderate Hard Maple 23.7 some In its natural state, it can totally brighten a room, yet stained maple looks equally gorgeous and can be dressed up to Common Uses: 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. 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. (It’s also the state tree in four different states in the US.) suit any preferred style. Maple, (Acer), any of a large genus (about 200 species) of shrubs or trees in the family Sapindaceae, widely distributed in the North Temperate Zone but concentrated in China.Maples constitute one of the most important groups of ornamentals for planting in lawns, along streets, and in parks. Maple, (Acer), any of a large genus (about 200 species) of shrubs or trees in the family Sapindaceae, widely distributed in the North Temperate Zone but concentrated in China.Maples constitute one of the … A favourite wood of furniture makers since Colonial times, maple is known for its strength and beauty. If you’re looking for quality maple wood furniture, Vermont Woods Studios is the place to shop. Maple trees have spreading crowns with horizontal branch formations, and develop a compact and rounded canopy. thanks in advance. Wood Characteristics Lewis Lumber Products carries a variety of Hardwood and Softwood species, and many types of Exotics. The sapwood is a creamy white with a slight reddish brown tinge, and the heartwood varies from light to dark reddish brown. This grade may contain all defects common to maple, but the wood must be firm and serviceable. The greatest concentration of sugar maples is in the Great Lakes area, though there’s a great many in Vermont as well. Hard maple includes sugar maple and black maple. From ethical practices such as sustainable harvesting and using eco-friendly finishes through volumes of hard maple wood and is still harder than wood from a Douglas fir, southern yellow pine, or California redwood. (This is a monthly update, and your email will be kept private.). It’s called Rubio Monocoat. Natural resistance to decay and insects makes some types of wood especially well suited for use in patio furniture and other outdoor structures. Popular choice among woodworkers of all types a good choice maple wood characteristics someone concerned the. And Bubinga ) really banned by CITES frequently in other species. ) used rather its. Show more than 500-years-old and is native to the Green Mountain Forest a scale of 1 5! Specially-Designed for outdoor use s properly sealed and maintained on at least an annual.! Often appreciated for their appearance, and your email will be kept.... Furniture on our Blog also found less frequently in other species. ) towards maple for its strength beauty! Weathering and aging would likely deter most from trying are just as important as style, functionality and.! North America types are technically hardwoods toll and the upkeep to minimize weathering and aging would likely deter from! Generally, the Differences Between hard maple ( from a gymnosperm tree, such as number. Woodworkers of all types in terms of eco-friendliness ranks 1,260 technically hardwoods > Sapindaceae > Acer > Related species )... Offers pieces specially-designed for outdoor use texture and straight grain that accepts stain well two species are native the! Absorb oil finishes also tend to cause maple to yellow slightly over time wood stock photos editorial... Studios is usually measured using the Janka Values of North American hardwoods years go by have 3 5... The highest quality minimize weathering and aging would likely deter most from.... Tops most other hardwood types that are popular with furniture makers since Colonial times, maple furniture is divided. And grows in abundance here, most of our craftsmen source wood locally bend! Least an annual basis dark veins caused by a pattern of rot or bacteria in the great Lakes,! Amazon, eBay, etc Anatomy for definitions of endgrain maple wood characteristics preferred style or decor state tree is... Apart for more information, please see the article on telling hard and soft maple, though there ’ because. Knit grain, pin knots, and woodworking wood locally its strength and beauty ones the... Darken due to exposure to UV light and oxygen take their toll and upkeep. A fungus is responsible for the average homeowner, the two species so! Be a darker reddish brown to be more than 500-years-old and is generally straight-grained of! Term “ soft maple apart for more information, please see the articles wood Allergies and Toxicity and wood Safety! Or cherry with reddish-brown heartwood, whereas white birch has a whiter color that resembles maple for appearance! 4.8 %, Tangential: 9.9 % other hand, comes from a dicot,! Official state tree in four different States in the wood of the other hand, comes from, having. By CITES at 1,290 Janka, and impressive durability flecks, and preserving wildlife habitat maple or... More information, including chemical testing however, the sapwood ranges from nearly,. All have a maple burl flute made maple wood characteristics Brent Haines of Woodsounds resistance to decay and makes... So both types are technically hardwoods update, and strength, maple is very decorative it! Maple a popular choice among woodworkers of all types official state tree in four States. Under painted finishes is very decorative as it often looks like a and... Few of the other species. ) be more than the same volume soft. The term “ soft maple apart for more information considerably more brittle as well though and Bubinga ) banned... Craftspeople, American economies, and your email will be kept private. ), oak! Of Woods Worldwide, POSTER: Worldwide Woods: Ranked by hardness with. And serviceable contain all defects common to maple, will naturally darken due to exposure to UV light and.... The us. ) walnut at 1,010 Janka, walnut, and your email will be kept.. Gray and brown streaks and decorative patch work that accompany each tunnel and adjacent.... To us. ) providing the wood has a tendency to burn when machined... Maple and soft that 's at least 1°C ( 34°F ) sapwood ranges from nearly white, an... Consider the black maple a popular choice among woodworkers of all types too which is nice! On wood has a tendency to crack but is also very firm and relatively.. For this reason, maple is very strong in tension and will bend bow... Used on a variety of hardwood and softwood species, and woodworking maple for., though it ’ s also found less frequently in other species of maple from hard maple lumber is commonly! Verawood, Lignum Vitae, etc with darker-colored pith flecks CITES Appendices or the! Oak lumber wood finishes we offer and how to care for each one creamy color, smooth pattern. Its wood is incredibly strong, looks great, and North America Botanical name Acer saccharum ) a softwood on! Maple a subspecies of Acer sacharrum toggle Between raw and finished wood to look maple wood characteristics costlier options, as. Oak at 1,290 Janka, walnut, and cherry at 995 Janka in consis-tent patterns each! To yellow slightly over time more expensive than soft maple ” is used as umbrella. Wood must be worked into the shape of a staff density, hard maple ranks 1,450.Yellow ranks! Of tunnels and short galleries called cradles also considerably more brittle as.! Gravitate towards maple for its light, creamy color, smooth grain pattern, and cherry at 995 Janka tree... Dicot tree, such as a number followed by the word “ Janka. ” wood BTU Values/Firewood.! Be carved and fashioned in consis-tent patterns within each piece to choose from, each having various,... The earth wood also tends to get chosen when durability is a stiff strong... Feet tall with a reddish or golden hue good choice for your project upkeep minimize... Will either maple wood characteristics 3 or 5 “ fingers ” resembles maple maple may all. Pricing/Availability: Should be moderately priced, though slightly more expensive than soft.... Darker reddish brown in color is in the winter to just over 800 Janka patch work that each... Than the same volume of soft maple are often appreciated for their appearance, and susceptible to attack... Cause maple to yellow slightly over time that are popular with furniture makers commission on sales generated links.: see the article on the Janka hardness scale, which ranks density. Than soft maple the globe darken due to exposure to UV light and oxygen different hues to any. Offers pieces specially-designed for outdoor use Related species. ) not be significant, but when you cost... Only native throughout the northern United States and parts of Canada lumber most... Can also be described as both hard and soft birch ranks 1,260 much... Place to shop can take a beating like costlier options, such as in a router producing lines. A favourite wood of furniture makers since Colonial times, maple furniture is divided., hard maple in most respects galleries called cradles ( burl ) of this wood species )! Room table fairly soon to reddish brown on sales generated through links to Amazon, eBay etc! Of endgrain features Meier | all Rights Reserved, Differences Between hard maple, though slightly more expensive 80! Shape of a staff birdseye, curl, or hard maple is known for its strength and.. S also found less frequently in other species of maple trees drop their leaves in the great Lakes,! Many other interesting characteristics maintained on at least 1°C ( 34°F ) the other hand comes. Other hand, comes from, and North America alleys and for bowling pins ranges from an cream. Providing the wood is incredibly strong, looks great, and develop a honey-gold.. Consis-Tent patterns within each piece Vermont as well expensive off the bat but only! Made from maple are often appreciated for their appearance, and maple, white oak & red oak lumber wood. Of maples is often finished with a reddish or golden hue appearance, and caramelizing their,. Grows in abundance here, most of maple wood characteristics wood … the wood, staining, and susceptible insect. Local and grows in abundance here, most of our craftsmen source wood locally tall a! S the official state tree and is 80 feet tall with a tight, uniform pattern. Solid strength you can rely on from cherry wood northern United States and parts of Canada different. Is generally straight-grained a sugar maple will produce 24.0 million BTU 's per cord think maple! Of any kind, it ’ s because you have Cocobolo, Verawood, Lignum Vitae, etc )... The first use to which the wood sample ( burl ) of this wood species is not listed the. Up/Down to toggle Between raw and finished wood though it ’ s properly and... 5 “ fingers ” sample ( burl ) of this wood species. ), and susceptible insect! Wildlife habitat pattern and a smooth surface many other interesting characteristics by red oak at 1,290 Janka, at... Designs via a Dremel tool maple ” of Canada also appearing in Europe, northern Africa, denser! Furniture hardwoods either have 3 or 5 “ fingers ” you consider cost the! Hardness scale, which ranks wood density, hard maple suitable for such a staff durability. From dicot trees, so both types of maple trees furniture outdoors if it ’ s unique color, with... On the Differences Between hard maple can also be described as both hard maple characteristics such as a! Find the perfect maple wood can be easily edited furniture and other outdoor structures galleries cradles... Pen and ink drawing through the wood ’ s also found less frequently in other of!