Trade Names:  Hard Maple, Sugar Maple

Origin:  North America

Range:  Eastern area of North America, from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Mexico. Exploited commercially mainly in the northeastern part of the USA. Apart from its use as wood, also significant as the source of maple syrup. Special valuable forms of American Maple are the curly Maple, fiddleback Maple and the birdseye Maple.

Uses:  American Maple is one of the most used furniture woods in the USA. Over the last two years American Maple has established itself in Europe as a furniture wood, above all as a _substitute_ for Pear, Alder or European Sycamore in unsteamed white or steamed pink color shades. Due to its resistance to friction it is also suitable as hard-wearing parquet in gymnasiums, etc..Turned into bobbins, loom shuttles and billiard cues.

Properties:  So-called sugar streaks occurs in Maple veneer. These can be diminished by steaming or staining.

Machining:  More power is required for machining Hard Maple wood but smooth surfaces and profiles can be produced by using hard metal-tipped tools. There is a risk of burns when using dull tools.

Seasoning:  Kiln drying in particular must be carried out very slowly and carefully because the wood tends to easily check or warp.