Maple, Soft
Colour
Durability
Density in kg/m3
The TreeA. saccharinum grows to a height of 27m or more and to a diameter of about 1.0m.A. rubrum reaches a height of 15m to 23m and a diameter of 0.75m.
The TimberSoft maple is 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 hard maples in its lower density and softer texture.
DryingAll types dry without undue difficulty but rather slowly.
StrengthSoft maple is inferior to rock maple in all strength categories; it is 40 to 50 per cent softer, about the same amount less resistant to shock loading and in shear strength. 20 per cent less stiff, and 20 to 30 per cent weaker in bending and compression along the grain, and less resistant to splitting.
Working QualitiesMedium - Soft maple works and machines with less difficulty than hard maple in all operations.
Latin NameAcer saccharinum, Acer rubrum
Also known asred maple, soft maple, silver maple
Wood TypeHardwood
TreatabilityModerately easy
MoistureMedium
TextureFine
OriginCanada, 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.
