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 everyone knows, among children for its "propeller seeds", among gourmets for maple syrup and among gardeners for its many types and diverse uses.

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

Habitus of a sycamore maple

Species, distribution & location

There are around 100 - 200 species of maple, but it is not entirely clear how many. The distribution area extends across Europe, North and Central America, North Africa and Asia.

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

In gardens you can also often find small Japanese maples or special varieties with blood-red or mottled leaves such as the blood maple or the white-variegated Norway maple.

The most famous maple species in Europe are:

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

Growth & Age

In the wild, maples are usually single-stemmed with a round, spreading crown.

When younger, the bark of maples is smooth and grey, while when older it becomes grey-brown and cracked. In sycamore maples, it is spotted and flaking.

Maples can live up to 500 years.

Maple wood

General information about maple wood

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

It is one of the most valuable woods. Sapwood and heartwood are usually very similar to each other - there are of course exceptions, as there are also trees that have a darker core (so-called heart maple).

Maple wood is usually yellowish white to white and is considered a medium-heavy wood due to its wood density.

Although it is one of the hardest types of wood, maple wood is elastic and tough. The surface of maple wood can be processed extremely well (e.g. turning ), polished, stained or colored.

In my opinion, the only downside to maple wood is that when it is regularly exposed to sunlight, the wood gradually changes color from a light or white color to a yellowish one - but that's just how wood is - a natural material.

Use of maple wood

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

Simple, calm grains, rare block grains as well as the “wild” grains of heartwood maple are used.

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

• Solid wood furniture & furniture veneers
• Cladding
• Intarsia, cabinetmaking
• Table tops, staircase construction, parquet
• Wood turning , carving, sculpture
• Toys & Kitchen Utensils

My conclusion & my opinion on maple & maple wood

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

There are so many different leaf shapes and growth forms that sometimes you would hardly suspect that it is a maple tree.

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

I also like to use maple wood when turning . Some wood turners think that maple wood is too quiet or boring.

However, I believe that this is exactly what makes the wood so charming. The smell of the wood when turning is also unique and gives off an unmistakable, sweet smell.

I also find the rare grain of the flamed maple particularly beautiful.

This anomaly in maple wood only occurs in around 3% of cases and is not actually visible on the outside of the tree. Therefore, it is only when the wood is cut open that you realize that the piece of wood is maple with a curly growth.

The wood shows shimmering or reflective “stripes” across the grain, which shimmer and shine depending on the incidence of light.

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

Photo gallery - Maple wood products