 Bigleaf Maple (A. saccharum pictured)
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Common Name(s): Bigleaf Maple Scientific Name: Acer macrophyllum Distribution: Coastal regions of Pacific North America Tree Size: 80-100 ft (25-30 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 35 lbs/ft3 (560 kg/m3) Hardness: 850 lbf (3,780 N) Bending Strength: 10,700 lbf/in2 (73,790 kPa) Elasticity: 1,450,000 lbf/in2 (10,000 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 3.7%, Tangential: 7.1%, Volumetric: 11.6%, T/R Ratio: 1.9 |
Color/Appearance: Unlike most other hardwoods, the sapwood of maple lumber is most commonly used rather than its heartwood. Sapwood color ranges from almost white, to a light golden or reddish brown, while the heartwood is a darker reddish brown. Silver Maple can also be seen with curly or quilted grain patterns.
Grain/Pore: Has closed pores and a fine texture. The growth rings tend to be lighter and less distinct in Soft Maples than in Hard Maple.
Durability: Rated as non-durable to perishable in regard to decay resistance.
Workability: Fairly easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though maple has a tendency to burn when being machined with high-speed cutters such as in a router. Turns, glues, and finishes well, though blotches can occur when staining, and a pre-conditioner, gel stain, or toner may be necessary to get an even color.
Smell: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.
Safety: Bigleaf Maple, along with other maples in the Acer genus have been reported to cause skin irritation, runny nose, and asthma-like respiratory effects. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.
Price Range: Should be very moderately priced, though figured pieces such as curly or quilted grain patterns are likely to be much more expensive.
Comments: Bigleaf Maple is appropriately named, as its leaves (shown below) are the largest of any maple, commonly reaching an overall width of 6 to 12 inches (15-30 cm) across. Bigleaf Maple is a commercially important hardwood timber for the United States’ west coast, where it is virtually the only commercial maple species in the region.
Bigleaf Maple is considered to be in the grouping of Soft Maples, and its wood is lighter, softer, and weaker than that of Hard Maple. For more information, please see the article on the Differences Between Hard Maple and Soft Maple.
Some common uses for Soft Maple include: veneer, pulpwood, boxes, crates/pallets, musical instruments, turned objects, and other small specialty wood items.
Scans/Pictures: There are currently no pictures of this exact wood species, but a similar species within the Acer genus is being substituted (Acer saccharum). If you’d like to contribute a wood sample of this specific species to be scanned, (even small pieces of veneer can be sent), please use the contact form.
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Hard Maple (sanded) |
 Hard Maple (sealed) |
 Bigleaf Maple (foliage) |
 Bigleaf Maple (leaf) |
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