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Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Also known as: Soft Maple, Swamp Maple, Scarlet Maple, Water Maple

Technical Spec Sheet

2026-07-14

Red Maple wood grain

Reference grain swatch

Janka Hardness
950 lbf (4,226 N)
Avg. Dried Weight
540 kg/m³ (34 lb/ft³)
Specific Gravity
0.54
Type
Hardwood
Grain
Usually straight, occasionally with curly or bird's eye figure
Texture
Fine to medium
Durability
Non-durable to perishable, susceptible to decay
Region
North America
Sustainability
Sustainable — Sustainable and abundant throughout its range

Overview

Red Maple is one of the most common and widely distributed trees in eastern North America. As a soft maple, it offers an economical alternative to hard maple for furniture and cabinetry where extreme hardness is not required, though it lacks the density of its harder cousin.

The heartwood is light reddish-brown with occasional grayish streaks. Density averages around five hundred forty kilograms per cubic meter when dried, with a Janka hardness of approximately nine hundred fifty pounds-force. The wood has a fine, even texture with closed pores and straight grain.

Workshop Notes

Blunting Effect

Low - generally easy on cutting edges

Gluing

Good gluing properties with standard wood adhesives

Finishing

Excellent - accepts stains uniformly and finishes beautifully

Steam Bending

Fair to good steam bending characteristics

Scent

Mild, slightly sweet aroma when worked

Assessment

Strengths

  • Abundant and economical
  • Takes stain and finish well
  • Good strength-to-weight ratio
  • Occasionally produces highly figured wood

Weaknesses

  • Can be difficult to dry without warping
  • Not resistant to decay
  • Less stable than hard maple
  • Prone to burning during machining

Common Uses

Furniture · Cabinetry · Flooring · Musical instruments · Veneer · Pallets · Crates