Birdseye maple — Identification, Uses and Properties
Acer saccharum Sapindaceae
Often sorted by color (White Maple) and figured grain pattern.
Highly prized for decorative applications due to its unique figure. Solid lumber and veneer are both common, though figured stock is much more expensive.
HARDWOOD NORTH AMERICA VENEER
Taxonomy & Nomenclature
Botanical Name(s)
Acer saccharum
Family
Sapindaceae
Wood type
Hardwood
Local Names
Hard Maple (USA), Sugar Maple (USA), Rock Maple (USA), Érable à sucre (Canada)
Origin Region
North America
Main End Uses
Veneer · Flooring · Musical instruments · Furniture · Cutting boards · Butcher blocks · Workbenches · Baseball bats · Turned objects · Specialty wood items
Wood Identification Guide
Reference Colour
Sapwood is creamy white; heartwood is reddish brown.
Texture
Fine and even.
Grain
Generally straight but can be wavy; characterized by tiny knots resembling eyes of birds.
Sapwood
Nearly white to off-white cream color, sometimes with a reddish or golden hue.
Interlocked Grain
No
Notes
Birdseye maple is a growth figure found most commonly in Hard Maple (Acer saccharum). Identification cues include the very light sapwood, fine texture, and diffuse-porous structure with narrow and wide rays.
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Log Description
Tree height
80 – 115 ft
Tree height
25 – 35 m
Diameter
60–100 cm
Buoyancy
Sinks when green, floats when dry
Log Conservation
Good but sapwood is susceptible to staining and insect attack if not processed quickly.
Diameter
23.6 to 39.4 in
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Density
705 g/cm³ @ 12% MC
Density
44 lb/ft³
Monnin Hardness
6.4
Janka Hardness
1,920 lbf
Janka Hardness
8,541 N
Volumetric Shrinkage Coefficient
0.49 % / %
Tangential Shrinkage
9.9 %
Radial Shrinkage
4.8 %
T/R Anisotropy Ratio
1.9
Fibre Saturation Point
30 %
Thermal Conductivity
0.18 W/m·K
Thermal Conductivity
0.104 BTU/(h·ft·°F)
Lower Heating Value
18 MJ/kg
Lower Heating Value
7,744 BTU/lb
Crushing Strength
54 MPa
Crushing Strength
7,832 psi
Bending Strength (MOR)
109 MPa
Bending Strength (MOR)
15,809 psi
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
12,620 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity (MOE)
1,830,376 psi
Durability & Treatment
Resistance to Decay
Non-durable to perishableDry Wood Borers
SusceptibleTermites
SusceptibleTreatability
Sapwood is permeable; heartwood is resistant to impregnation.Use Class
Class 5 (non-durable)Preservation Requirements
Against Dry Wood Borers
Treatment recommended for indoor use in areas prone to infestation.Notes
Susceptible to common furniture beetle and fungal decay.Drying Schedule & Risks
Drying Rate
Fairly quick
Risk Distortion
High risk of warping (severe if dried too fast)
Risk Case Hardening
Moderate
Risk Checking
Low to moderate
Risk Collapse
Low
Suggested Schedule
T8-C3
Sawing & Machining
Blunting Effect
Moderate
Tooth For Sawing
Standard
Machining Tools
Machines well but tends to burn with high-speed cutters.
Suitability Peeling
Excellent
Suitability Slicing
Good
Notes
Turns well and has excellent steam-bending properties.Assembling & Finishing
Nailing Screwing
Pre-boring needed
Fire Safety & Ratings
French Grading Thick Gt14mm
M3
French Grading Thick Lt14mm
M4
Euroclass
D-s2, d0
Commercial Grading
NHLA Grades
FAS FAS1F Selects No. 1 Common No. 2A Common
CITES & Trade Restrictions
CITES Status
Unlisted
Trade Notes
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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Completeness: 9.6 / 10