WoodSwatch · The Wood Ledger
Black Maple
Acer nigrum
Also known as: Hard Maple, Black Sugar Maple, Rock Maple
Technical Spec Sheet
2026-07-14
Reference grain swatch
- Janka Hardness
- 1,450 lbf (6,450 N)
- Avg. Dried Weight
- 690 kg/m³ (43 lb/ft³)
- Specific Gravity
- 0.62
- Type
- Hardwood
- Grain
- Generally straight, occasionally wavy with birdseye or quilted figure
- Texture
- Fine, even
- Durability
- Non-durable outdoors, but resists wear well indoors
- Region
- North America
- Sustainability
- Sustainable — Not listed in CITES, commercially available and sustainably managed
Overview
Black Maple is closely related to Sugar Maple and shares nearly identical working properties and applications. Often sold interchangeably with Sugar Maple as Hard Maple, it provides exceptional hardness and wear resistance making it ideal for flooring and high-traffic surfaces. The species is also tapped for maple syrup production.
Black Maple has similar density to Sugar Maple at approximately 690 kg/m³ when dried, with Janka hardness of 1,450 lbf. The heartwood is light reddish-brown, sometimes slightly darker than Sugar Maple. Grain is usually straight but may exhibit attractive figure including birdseye or quilted patterns. Fine, even texture with specific gravity of 0.62.
Workshop Notes
Blunting Effect
Moderate to high - hard on cutting edges, requires sharp tools
Gluing
Glues well with proper surface preparation
Finishing
Excellent finishing characteristics, accepts stains evenly
Steam Bending
Good steam bending properties when properly prepared
Scent
No characteristic odor when worked
Assessment
Strengths
- Exceptional hardness and wear resistance
- Beautiful appearance
- Good dimensional stability
- Takes finishes excellently
Weaknesses
- Difficult to work with hand tools
- Not durable outdoors
- Can be expensive
- Requires sharp tools
Common Uses
Flooring · Furniture · Cabinetry · Butcher blocks · Bowling alleys · Musical instruments