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Hard Maple
Hard maple is one of our most dense woods
with a very tight, uniform grain pattern. As a result, it is commonly
used for turnings, bowling alleys and pins, croquet balls and mallets, dowels,
and flooring. Most recently it has become very poplar for kitchen
cabinets, paneling, and millwork.
Hard maple often has a wide white sapwood band and a brown heartwood.
It is this contrast which results in several different categories for marketing
lumber. The white sapwood is preferred and commands a premium price.
When sold "Standard" no color separation is made. It is often separated
and sold No. 1 and 2 White Maple. Another grade is Sap and Better.
The sapwood on maple discolors during warm weather and turns an undesirable
gray from a chemical oxidation reaction. Sticker marks are also common.
These discolorations are common and very undesirable. Therefore, where
color is important, the buyer should inspect the material or know the shipper
to assure himself that the color is satisfactory.
Hard maple also has two unique types of figure. Curly maple has a distinctive
curl across the grain. The more curls per inch, the more figure and
more value. When stained, the curl will show light and dark streaks.
Curly maple was commonly used in gun stocks for early firearms, as well as
furniture.
Birds eye maple is the second distinctive category. It consists of
few to numerous small round circles which appear like "birds eyes".
This material is commonly veneered and used for paneling and furniture.
Birds eye maple is most commonly found in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,
whereas highly figured tiger maple is more common in Pennsylvania, although
either may be found throughout the species range. These grain variations
are probably due to genetics.
Hard maple is a common tree in the Lake States, northeast and midwest.
It is often slow growing and the species is very shade tolerant. It
is also the species used for maple syrup production.
Solid as the Oak is our own USA
Cassens Trees
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