 Red Maple (A. saccharum pictured)
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Common Name(s): Red Maple Scientific Name: Acer rubrum Distribution: Eastern North America Tree Size: 65-100 ft (20-30 m) tall, 2-3 ft (.6-1.0 m) trunk diameter Average Dried Weight: 38lbs/ft3 (610 kg/m3) Hardness: 950 lbf (4,230 N) Rupture Strength: 13,400 lbf/in2 (92,410 kPa) Elastic Strength: 1,640,000 lbf/in2 (11,310 MPa) Crushing Strength: 6,540 lbf/in2 (45.1 MPa) Shrinkage: Radial: 4.0%, Tangential: 8.2%, Volumetric: 12.6%, T/R Ratio: 2.1 |
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. Red 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.
Scent: There is no characteristic odor associated with this wood species.
Safety: Red 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/Availability: Should be very moderately priced, though figured pieces such as curly or quilted grain patterns are likely to be much more expensive.
Comments: Red Maple is appropriately named, as its flowers, twigs, seeds, and autumn leaves (shown below) are all red. Red Maple is common over a very large area of the eastern Untied States, and its wood tends to be slightly heavier, stronger, and harder than other species in the grouping of Soft Maples, though it is still not as strong as 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) |
 Red Maple (leaf) |
 Red Maple (foliage) |
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