Maple

Did you know that Maple is the North American lumber species with the most widespread growth range? This remarkable tree can be found in almost every region of our continent, and J. Gibson McIlvain keeps two of the most common species, Hard and Soft Maple, as a regular part of our inventory. We’ll take a look at some of the most significant characteristics of both those well-loved species as well as some common and creative applications for which they’re used.

Focus on Hard Maple

Other names for this hardwood species include Sugar Maple and Rock Maple. The Sugar Maple is the one that grows across the greatest area, and the lumber cut from it is used primarily for flooring and cabinetry, this species displays a blonde coloring ideal for many décor schemes and especially for modern Scandinavian and minimalist looks, as well as Industrial trends. With its fine pores and extremely tight grain, Hard Maple is unique in that its white-colored sapwood is nearly as sought-after as its blond heartwood.

Sugar Maple’s hardness, along with its high density, make it ideal for keeping hard, crisp edges for mouldings; at the same time, though, the species can be hard on cutting edges. Its stability makes it ideal for flooring, while its tight grain makes dye penetration difficult and varnish or lacquer preferred for finishing. Once polished, it displays a beautiful luster.

Focus on Soft Maple

Also known as Red Maple, the term “Soft Maple” is actually a bit of a misnomer. While this species is softer than Sugar Maple, it is not actually a softwood; in fact, it’s not much softer than Sugar Maple. While the heartwood of this species is darker than that of Sugar Maple, when combined with the reddish brown latewood, the lumber takes on a pinkish cast. The wandering grain lines of flat-sawn Red Maple offer a different look compared to Sugar Maple’s more rigid grain. While Red Maple has a more limited growing region, generally limited to the eastern seaboard of the U.S., it is still readily available and typically comes out less expensive than its harder counterpart. Easier on tools and yet able to hold details well, Red Maple finishes nicely.

Figured Maple

Both Sugar Maple and Red Maple can display special figured grain. Such effects are highly prized by certain types of woodworkers, particularly those who craft instruments and furniture. At the same time though, figured Maple is far-from-ideal for others, such as those who make flooring and kitchen cabinets; instead, those applications require consistent coloring and uniform grain. J. Gibson McIlvain keeps figured boards separate from the straight-grained variety so we can provide you with whatever kind of Maple suits your needs best.

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J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Since 1798, when Hugh McIlvain established a lumber business near Philadelphia, the McIlvain family has been immersed in the premium import and domestic lumber industry. With its headquarters located just outside of Baltimore, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company (www.mcilvain.com) is one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods.

As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world, including the White House, Capitol building, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian museums.

Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.

Well known for its distinctive leaves and unmatched beauty, the maple tree produces some of the most common and versatile lumber milled today. The trees commonly referred to as “maples” are technically part of the Acer genus; the word Acer comes from a Latin word that means “sharp,” like the multiple points of the maple leaf. The many-pointed leaf of the sugar maple may be most familiar, since it functions as the emblem on the Canadian flag. Along with the rest of North America, Canada is home to many maple trees; almost all 129 species of the Acer genus are native to the Northern Hemisphere, and over 60% of maple lumber is manufactured in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes States.

Maple trees generally grow to heights ranging from 30-145 feet and have many distinctive characteristics. In addition to the flowers of the particularly beautiful red maple species, some maples produce a unique fruit called “samaras,” which can also be called “maple keys” or “whirlybirds.” In addition to providing ornamentation and shade, some maple trees are also popularly used in the art of bonsai; Japanese and other species of maples reach heights of only 2-3 feet tall and work well in response to leaf-reduction techniques. The pollen from the maple tree is so plentiful, that the continued existence of the honeybee depends heavily on maple trees. The sap that comes from sugar maples can be used to make maple syrup, as well as maple sugar, yummy maple cream and maple taffy.

The timber that comes from maple trees can be described as being either “hard” or “soft.” Hard maple, also called “rock maple,” comes from sugar maple trees and has a texture that is both consistent and fine. Its coloring includes reddish-brown sapwood and lighter reddish brown heartwood. Usually having a straight grain, hard maple with birdseye, curly, or fiddleback graining can be found for special projects, as well. Even though such decorative graining might not be apparent until the wood has been sawn, sometimes it can be detected in standing trees with rippled patterns in their bark.

Because of its unique durability, hard maple is commonly used to make equipment used in recreational sports: gymnasium floors, bowling alley lanes, bowling pins, pool cue shafts, and baseball bats. It is also used for flooring, cabinets, butcher’s blocks and various types of quality furniture. Since it is considered a tonewood, effectively carrying sound waves, maple is often used for pianos and other instruments including guitars, as well.

Unlike hard maple, soft maple is typically found in the eastern United States. The silver maple, red maple, and bigleaf maple are all similar to the sugar maple in their texture as well as their coloring. Instead of being heavy, hard, and strong, however, this wood is more suitable for railroad ties, boxes, pallets, crates, veneer, and more ornamental or lower-end furniture.

The maple tree has certainly earned a place among tree-lovers and wood-workers alike, and J. Gibson McIlvain, a leading importer and wholesaler of lumber, is second-to-none in its admiration of this celebrated wood.