ROCK MAPLE
Family: Acaraceae

Commercial Names:
White maple, Sugar maple or black maple (USA); Hard Maple (UK, Canada and USA).

Distribution:
Canada and Eastern USA.

General Description:
Usually straight grained but sometimes curly or wavy. Fine brown lines give an attractive growth ring figure on plain sawn surfaces. Texture is fine and even.

Color:
Cream-white with a reddish tinge. Large trees may have dark brown heart.

Weight:
Average 720 kg/m3 (45 lb/ft3).

Specific Gravity:
.72.

Mechanical Properties:
•  Bending strength – High
•  Crushing strength – High
•  Stiffness – Medium
•  Steam bending classification – Very good

Seasoning:
The timber dries slowly without undue difficulty. There is medium movement in service.

Working properties:
A difficult wood to work with a moderate blunting of cutting edges. A reduced cutting angle is required with wavy or curly grained material. Pre-bore for nailing or screwing; takes glue, stain and polish satisfactorily.

Durability:
The hardwood is non-durable and the sapwood is liable to attack by furniture beetle. Growth defects caused by insects are sometimes found. The heartwood is resistant to preservative treatment but the sapwood is permeable.

Uses:
•  Heavy duty flooring
•  Furniture and paneling
•  Textile machinery rollers
•  Shoe lasts
•  Parts of piano actions
•  Musical instruments