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HARD MAPLE HARDWOOD IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
Hard Maple
Maple trees considered to be “hard maple” include Acer nigrum (black maple), Acer saccharum (sugar maple) and Acer floridanum (Florida maple) – all of which growth along the East Coast. [2]
By comparison, soft maple species include Acer rubrum (red maple), Acer saccharinum (silver maple), Acer negundo (box elder), Acer pensylvanicum (striped maple), and Acer macrophyllum (bigleaf maple). [2]
Hard maple most often features a creamy white sapwood, but can also have a slight reddish/brown hue. The heartwood can range from light to dark reddish brown and will darken over time with exposure to light. [1]
Hard maple usually has a straight grain but can occasionally be wavy in appearance. Patterns such as flame, bird’s eye, or flame can command higher prices. [1] [2]
Due to its incredible toughness and durability, hard maple wood is the perfect choice for bowling alleys, dance studio floors, gym floors, as well as cutting boards and other work surfaces. It’s also great for tables and cabinetry, due to its delicate finish. [1] [2]
Hard maple lumber is recognized by woodworkers and professionals for its excellent machining, drilling, turning and finishing (with both hand and power tools), but it does have a tendency to burn when being machined with high-speed cutters. Hard maple takes a higher polish than soft maple. [1] [3]
Hard maple is substantially harder than soft maple, ranking close to 1400 on the Janka Hardness Scale. [4] For woodworking purposes, these species of maple are easy to plane, drill, and glue, though not as easily as soft maple. Blotches can occur while staining, so preconditioning may be necessary to achieve an even color. [3]
The range of hard maple in North America is the same as soft maple, covering the eastern half of the United States and Canada, being densest around the Great Lakes. It grows in groups in a variety of soils, and is only harvested in Autumn and Winter. [1]
All data derives from Forest Inventory Data Online (FIDO), a component of the U.S. Forest Service Inventory and Analysis Program (FIA). Data was compiled by AHEC in January 2016 using the most recent state inventory available (2014 for most states). "Forest volume" refers to "net volume of live trees on forest land," as defined by FIA (see glossary). FIA forest volume data is available for 49 U.S. states (Hawaii and Washington D.C. are omitted) with total hardwood forest volume of 18.1 billion m3 of which 13.5 billion m3are commercially significant.
Baird Brothers Fine Hardwoods is happy to assist with any questions you have about hard maple characteristics. Our extensive product line of hard maple products includes hard maple S4S lumber, hard maple plywood, hard maple rough lumber, mouldings, interior doors, stair parts, Flooring, and more.
Please call 1-800-732-1697 or Contact Us if you need help with our extensive inventory.
Source: The Department of Agriculture's Wood Handbook
*Data is based on a moisture content of 12%.
Impact Bending — In the impact bending test, a hammer of given weight is dropped upon a beam from successively increased heights until rupture occurs or the beam deflects 152 mm (6 in.) or more. The height of the maximum drop, or the drop that causes failure, is a comparative value that represents the ability of wood to absorb s hocks that cause stresses beyond the proportional limit.
Janka Hardness — Defined as resistance to indentation using a modified Janka hardness test, measured by the load required to embed a 11.28-mm (0.444-in) ball to one-half its diameter. Values presented are the average of radial and tangential penetrations.
Modulus of Elasticity — Elasticity implies that deformations produced by low stress are completely recoverable after loads are removed. When loaded to higher stress levels, plastic deformation or failure occurs.
Specific Gravity - A measure of the ratio of a wood's density as compared to water. If a wood species had the same density as water, the specific gravity would be 1.00.