The maple & maple wood

Who doesn't know this deciduous tree? The maple is known for many things, for example its classic leaf shape, which almost everyone knows, for its "propeller seeds" among children, for maple syrup among gourmets, and for its many varieties and diverse uses among gardeners.

Without a doubt, the maple tree is one of my favorite trees – which is of course also evident in my garden.

Habit of a sycamore maple

Species, Distribution & Location

There are approximately 100-200 species of maple; the exact number is not even fully known. Their distribution area extends across Europe, North and Central America, North Africa, and Asia.

The most common tree species in European forests are sycamore maple, Norway maple, and field maple. These species can be found in mixed forests up to the tree line, but are also popular in parks, avenues, and gardens.

In gardens you can also often find dwarf Japanese maples or special cultivars with blood-red or speckled leaves, such as the blood maple or the variegated Norway maple.

The most well-known maple species in Europe are:

• Sycamore maple
• Norway maple
• Field maple
• Various Japanese maples
• Ash maple
• Sugar maple
• Japanese maple

Growth & Age

In their wild form, maples are usually single-trunked with a round, spreading crown.

In their younger years, the bark of maple trees is rather smooth and grey; in later years, it becomes greyish-brown and cracked. On sycamore maples, the bark is mottled and peeling.

Maple trees can live up to 500 years.

Maple wood

General information about maple wood

Due to its properties, maple wood is primarily used indoors.

It is considered one of the most valuable hardwoods. Sapwood and heartwood are usually barely distinguishable from each other – exceptions exist, of course, as there are also trees that have a darker heartwood (so-called heart maple).

Maple wood is typically yellowish-white to white and is considered a medium-weight wood due to its density.

Although it is classified as a hardwood, maple wood is elastic and tough. The surface of maple wood is exceptionally easy to work (e.g., turning ), polish, stain, or dye.

The only downside to maple wood, in my opinion, is that with regular exposure to sunlight, the wood gradually changes color from a light or white hue to a yellowish tone – but that's just how wood is – a natural material.

Use of maple wood

Maple wood is primarily used in furniture making and interior design.

Simple, calm grain patterns, rare figured grain patterns as well as the "wild" grain patterns of heartwood maple are used.

Due to its favorable chemical properties, hardness and fine pores, maple is often used in everyday life for the following purposes:

• Solid wood furniture & furniture veneers
• Covers
• Inlays, artistic joinery
• Tabletops, stair construction, parquet flooring
• Woodturning , carving, sculpture
• Wooden toys & kitchen utensils

My conclusion and opinion on maple and maple wood

For me, the maple is one of the most diverse and beautiful native deciduous trees.

There are so many different leaf and growth forms that sometimes you could hardly guess it's a maple tree.

I particularly like the impressive autumn colors of the foliage – whether red, yellow or orange – all leaf colors are represented here.

I also really enjoy using maple wood for woodturning . Some woodturners consider maple wood to be too subdued or boring.

However, I believe that this is precisely what makes the wood so charming. The smell of the wood when turned is also unique, spreading an unmistakable, sweetish aroma.

I also find the rare grain pattern of the curly maple particularly beautiful.

This anomaly in maple wood occurs in only about 3% of trees and is not actually visible on the outside. Therefore, it is only when the wood is cut open that one discovers that the piece of wood is maple with curly grain.

The wood displays shimmering or reflective "stripes" across the grain, which shimmer and shine depending on the angle of the light.

Well, are you curious? Then take a look at all the maple wood products in my online shop.

Image gallery - Maple wood products