7 Facts to Know About Maple Wood
Maple wood is not only beautiful, but a sustainable timber option for many woodwork projects. Known for its recognisable leaf shape, the maple tree is a beloved species in the northern hemisphere. Keep reading to explore seven facts about maple wood properties, highlighting its unique characteristics and benefits.
Maple trees belong to the Aceraceae family, with over 200 species making it a diverse and fascinating plant. Local to us at WL West, and lining the A3 south of Hindhead, is a stunning avenue of maple trees that have been imported from Canada as a living memorial for the Canadian servicemen who trained in the local area and sadly passed during the 2 world wars. Every autumn the vibrant colours of the maple leaves create a stunning spectacle and remind us of the soldiers’ sacrifice.
Maple leaves and seeds
Maple Trees are Ancient
Maple trees have a rich history dating back over 100 million years, even before the dinosaurs roamed the Earth! These trees can grow to heights exceeding 40 metres and, when planted in suitable conditions, can live for over 300 years. Their longevity makes them a remarkable addition to any landscape. The earliest maple wood fossils have been found in North East Asia and North America dating back to the Paleocene, around 60 million years ago, and in Svalbard dating back to the Eocene around 38 million years ago.
Maple is the Source of Delicious Maple Syrup!
Maple syrup comes from the sap of the sugar maple tree, grown in Canada and the USA. The extraction process requires the tree to be at least 30 years old. The sap is collected in late winter or early spring, and it takes anywhere between 40 to 50 gallons of sap to produce just one gallon of syrup. This sustainable practice doesn’t harm the trees, making it an eco-friendly choice.
Maple is an Exceptional Tonewood
Maple is renowned as a “tonewood”, meaning it effectively carries sound waves making it an excellent choice for musical instruments. It’s a popular choice for crafting musical instruments including the double bass, violins, cellos, drums, guitars and some windwood instruments.
Image by Yuri Stupen from Unsplash
Pretty Maple Trees are a Tourist Attraction
Across the world, maple trees are planted in parks and along streets, creating spectacular autumnal displays of vibrant colours - yellow, pink, orange, scarlet and deep purple. These breathtaking views attract tourists to regions like New England and eastern Canada, as well as to arboretums and public parks in the UK where maple trees have been planted. Some lesser known, albeit the most beautiful displays of colour have been around the other side of the world from Japanese maple trees. It’s also the national tree of Canada, using the tree’s iconic leaf shape on the Canadian Flag!
Maple Wood is Easy to Work With
Maple is relatively easy to work with, whether using hand or machine tools. It turns, glues and finishes well, although staining may require a pre-conditioner or gel stain to achieve and even colour and avoid patchiness. This versatility makes it a favourite among woodworkers.
Maple is a Sustainable Timber
Maple wood is a sustainable timber option, and it’s not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. While it’s non-durable and best suited for indoor projects, its fine, even texture and lovely pale cream colour - often featuring reddish or golden hues - make it a popular choice for a variety of applications. Maple is also one of the best trees for carbon capture, absorbing an average of 22lbs of CO2 each year.
Maple has Many Unique Variations
Maple wood comes in many variations, each with its own distinctive characteristics:
Birdseye Maple
Known for its tiny knots in the grain, resembling small birds’ eyes, this figure is thought to be caused by unfavourable growing conditions causing any new growth to be halted. It’s a popular choice for veneers, musical instruments and turned objects.
Curly Maple
Also known as fiddleback maple in reference to its long historic use for the backs and sides of violins, the rippled grain pattern creates a three-dimensional effect that appears as if the grain has “curled” along the length of the board.
Spalted Maple
The partial decay, known as spalting, gives this pale wood dark contrasting lines and streaks where fungus has begun attacking the wood, making it visually striking for eye-catching items.
Sourcing Your Maple Wood
If you’re interested in using maple wood in your next woodworking project, we have a variety of options available - from turning blanks to specialty wood items, we offer high-quality maple timber. Appreciate the beauty and sustainability of maple, whether you’re crafting musical instruments or creating stunning furniture it’s a fantastic option to combine functionality with beautiful visual appeal.
For more information please contact us, or to browse options of maple wood for sale, visit our online store.
