Appalachian Species & Grades
Hard Maple
Other Common Names: Sugar Maple or Rock Maple
NWH’s Hard Maple is grown in both the Glacial and Appalachian regions.
Unlike other hardwoods, the sapwood of Hard Maple is used rather than the heartwood. Admired for its beautiful cream color and fine texture, the grain is generally straight but also occurs as “birds-eye,” “curly,” and “fiddleback” grain. Hard Maple turns well on a lathe and is resistant to abrasion. Hard Maple’s beauty and strength make it a favorite for flooring, cabinetry, furniture, paneling and veneer.
Hard Maple is also used for gunstocks, tool handles, plywood dies, cutting blocks, woodenware, novelty products, sporting goods, bowling pins, and musical instruments.
Grades Available:
Properties
- Machining 4
- Nailing 2
- Screwing 2
- Gluing 4
- Finishing 5
Properties of Hard Maple
Hard Maple is relatively easy to work with both hand and machine tools. It turns, glues and finishes well.
How does it compare
| Lumber (12 % moisture content) | Specific Gravity (Density) | Dimensional R (%) | Movement T (%) | Hardness (lbs) | Compression Parallel (ps) | Bending Strength (ps) | Bending Stiffness (kps) | Grain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alder, Red (Western) | .41 | 4.4 | 7.3 | 590 | 5,820 | 9,800 | 1,380 | Fine |
| Ash | .60 | 4.9 | 7.8 | 1,320 | 7,410 | 15,400 | 1,770 | Fine |
| Basswood | .37 | 6.6 | 9.3 | 410 | 4,730 | 8,700 | 1,460 | Fine |
| Beech | .64 | 5.5 | 11.9 | 1,300 | 7,300 | 14,900 | 1,720 | Fine/Medium |
| Birch, Yellow | .62 | 7.3 | 9.5 | 1,260 | 8,170 | 16,600 | 2,010 | Fine |
| Cherry, Black | .50 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 950 | 7,110 | 12,300 | 1,490 | Mod/Coarse |
| Hickory | .66 | 4.9 | 8.9 | 1,820 | 7,850 | 13,700 | 1,730 | Mod/Coarse |
| Maple, Hard | .63 | 4.8 | 9.9 | 1,450 | 7,830 | 15,800 | 1,830 | Fine |
| Maple, PC | .48 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 850 | 5,950 | 10,700 | 1,450 | Fine |
| Maple, Soft | .47 | 3.0 | 7.2 | 700 | 5,220 | 8,900 | 1,140 | Fine |
| Oak, Red | .63 | 4.0 | 8.6 | 1,290 | 6,760 | 14,300 | 1,820 | Coarse |
| Oak, White | .68 | 4.4 | 8.8 | 1,360 | 7,440 | 15,200 | 1,780 | Mod/Coarse |
| Poplar, Yellow | .42 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 450 | 5,290 | 9,200 | 1,500 | Fine |
| Walnut, Black | .55 | 5.5 | 7.8 | 1,010 | 7,580 | 14,600 | 1,680 | Medium |
