Hard maple

Origin: United States.

Latin name.
Acer saccharum.

Natural vegetation area.
Widespread in the Great Lakes region, in the north-eastern part of the United States, it prefers cold climates.

TRUNK CHARACTERISTICS.
Quick but limited growth, reaching a height starting from 5-6 metres to about 15 metres, for the tallest plants

WOOD APPEARANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS.
Sapwood is creamy white with a light shade of reddish brown, whereas the hardwood varies between light and dark reddish brown. The quantity of the darker brown heartwood can significantly vary according to the regions in which the hard maple grows. Both the sapwood and the heartwood can contain striations. The wood has thin and uniform veining. It generally has a straight fibre, but can also be "crotch", "fiddle back" or "bird's eye" figured.

Specific weight in the fresh condition.
705 kg/m³

Histological structure.
Fine texture, variable grain, often wavy.

Shrinkage.
From medium to high.

Mechanical characteristics.
Axial compression strength average value 54 Mpa, bending strength average value of 132 Mpa.

Modulus of elasticity.
Average value of 12,618 MPa

Most frequent structural defects and alteration.
-

Durability.
Good

Species available for the following products: