Spalted Maple (Acer saccharum)

Characteristics Light Heavy Weight: Soft Hard Hardness: Fine Coarse Texture: Easy Difficult Working: Easy Difficult Finishing: Chart Help

Spalted Maple Characteristics

Spalt is created as decaying logs are attacked by fungi. The lumber must be manufactured after decay has started but before the wood deteriorates and becomes spongy. The decay makes for a difficulty with routing, sawing, and finishing, but the final result is striking.

Color Range

Cream white or yellow to reddish brown with mineral streaks and spalting lines. Wide color variety.

Other Names

Hard maple, Rock maple, Sugar maple

Some Typical Uses

Small accessories, jewelry boxes, high end furniture panels, cabinet doors, turnings, musical instruments and guitars

What's the Tree Like?

Same as Hard Rock Maple or Sugar Maple. Produces sweet sap used to make maple syrup. Matures at heights of 90-120 feet with a trunk 24-36''.

Spalted Maple grows in

Northeastern USA & Canada.