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In most respects the wood of soft maple is very similar in appearance to that of hard maple. Although due to its widespread growth it may be more susceptible to regional color variations. Generally the sapwood is white, sometimes with darker colored pith flecks. The heartwood varies from light to dark reddish brown. The wood is usually straight grained. The select and #1C grades are heavy to white. The heartwood boards are sold as natural at lower rates.
Working Properties
Soft maple machines well and can be stained and polished to an excellent finish. It glues, screws, and nails satisfactorily. It dries slowly with minimal degrade and there is little movement in performance. Northwest Hardwoods’ state-of-the art dry kilns and drying technology help assure lumber that is straight and flat.
Physical Properties
Soft maple is about 25 percent less hard than hard maple, has medium bending and crushing strength, and is low in stiffness and shock resistance. It has good steam bending properties.
Main Uses
Furniture, kitchen cabinets, paneling, interior joinery, mouldings, doors, musical instruments, and turning. Soft maple is often used as a substitute for hard maple or stained to resemble other species such as cherry. Its physical and working properties also make it a possible substitute for beech.
Regional Differences
Glacial—The Glacial region’s frigid winters produce slow-growing trees with tight growth rings, creating Soft Maple with outstanding color and texture. Approximately 80 percent of the lengths from this region are 8-10'.
Appalachian—The balanced four-season climate in the Appalachian region produces Soft Maple with beautiful color and texture. Northwest Hardwoods' Appalachian Soft Maple is available in a special white pull that makes it popular with high end furniture and cabinet manufacturers. The lengths from this region are 8-16'.
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