WoodSwatch · The Wood Ledger
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Also known as: Hard maple, Rock maple, Canadian maple, Eastern sugar maple
Technical Spec Sheet
2026-07-14
Reference grain swatch
- Janka Hardness
- 1,450 lbf (6,450 N)
- Avg. Dried Weight
- 705 kg/m³ (44 lb/ft³)
- Specific Gravity
- 0.7
- Type
- Hardwood
- Grain
- Generally straight with occasional curly, quilted, birdseye, or fiddleback figure
- Texture
- Fine
- Durability
- Non-Durable
- Region
- North America
- Sustainability
- Sustainable — IUCN: Least Concern (LC); CITES: Not Listed
Overview
Sugar Maple is a premium North American hardwood renowned for its hardness, fine texture, and occasional spectacular figure. It is a benchmark material for high-wear surfaces and precision craftsmanship.
Workshop Notes
Blunting Effect
Moderate
Gluing
Bonds reliably with standard adhesives; ensure freshly machined surfaces for best results
Finishing
Can blotch with stains; use conditioner or dye-based systems for controlled coloration
Steam Bending
Moderate; steam bending possible but less forgiving than beech or ash
Scent
Faint, slightly sweet odor when freshly cut
Assessment
Strengths
- High hardness and wear resistance
- Fine, uniform texture suitable for precision work
- Attractive figured variants
- Excellent mechanical strength
Weaknesses
- Low natural decay resistance
- Prone to burning during machining
- Difficult to stain evenly without preparation
- Movement in fluctuating humidity
Common Uses
Flooring · Furniture · Cabinetry · Musical instruments · Cutting boards · Butcher blocks · Sports equipment · Turnery · Architectural millwork