Maple, Rock
Colour
Durability
Density in kg/m3
The TreeA. saccharum and A. nigrum grow to a height of 27m or more and a diameter of 0.5m to 0.75m.
The TimberHard maple is strong, heavy, hard, straight-grained and fine textured. The heartwood is light reddish-brown with deeper-coloured late-wood bands. The sapwood is white in colour, and furnishes the white maple prized for certain uses. It differs mainly from the soft maples in its greater density and firmer texture.
DryingAll types dry without undue difficulty but rather slowly, particularly rock maple.
StrengthCompared with European beech, rock maple is about equal in bending strength and in compression along the grain. and some 1 5 to 20 per cent superior in hardness, resistance to shock loads and resistance to splitting.
Working QualitiesMedium - Hard maple is rather difficult to work, the timber tending to cause saws to vibrate, and for cutters to ride on the wood during planing. A reduction of cutting angle to 20: assists the finishing operation particularly when curly grain is present. The timber can be stained, polished and glued satisfactorily, but it is hard to nail or screw, although these are held firmly.
Latin NameAcer saccharum, Acer nigrum
Also known asRock maple, hard maple, sugar maple, black maple
Wood TypeHardwood
TreatabilityDifficult
MoistureMedium
TextureFine
OriginNorth America, Canada, USA
Related Case Studies
Sourcing timber
The TDUK Wood Species Database provides practical information on wood species currently or recently available in the UK market.
Before importing any species listed, you must carry out due diligence to ensure compliance with environmental, social and legal standards, including CITES – the international agreement protecting endangered species.
When buying from existing stock, always source through a TDUK member, who will have completed the required due diligence, including CITES checks.
If a species is no longer commercially available, TDUK members can advise on legal, sustainable alternatives that match desired characteristics such as colour, appearance or density.
