4/11/2024 0 Comments Different types of red maple treesAs one might imagine, it’s a real challenge to find boards with this type of figuring that are sturdy enough for larger applications. You’ll see it more often in small projects like the bowl above, but it does get occasional use in furniture. Ergo, those who work with it must find it at just the right time-after the fungi has left its mark, but before it harms the structural integrity of the wood.įinding spalted maple is fairly rare, but its popularity is growing. Spalted maple may have a rainbow of colors through it because of this, though black, gray, and pink are the most common.Īs one might expect, when decay fungi is left to its own devices, it can totally decimate a tree. As the fungi spreads out and meets with other patches of fungi, the unique “zone lines” form. Spalting occurs when white-rot decay fungi takes up residence in a tree. Spalted maple wood looks almost as if someone drew irregular borders all over it with ink, but it is a naturally occurring type of figured wood. Irregular borders which can look as if drawn with ink/ marble pattern White to brown, sometimes with black, gray, pink, and other hues Spalted Maple WoodĪ post shared by Christina Zucchini Fowler of Spalted Maple Wood The most frequent uses of figured maple depend on the type of figuring. What is Figured Maple Wood Good For?įigured maple is commonly used in custom furniture, musical instruments, cabinetry, kitchen utensils, and more. While all figured wood is rare because not all trees produce it, some types are rarer than others, simply because the conditions which lead to the figuring don’t occur often and cannot be duplicated by human hands. Each type of figuring has a unique cause. Over the years, several types of figured maple wood have been categorized based upon their visual appearance. When milled lumber exhibits characteristics that aren’t expected from normal wood, those boards get set aside and labeled as some type of figured wood.ĭisease, strain, and injury are common causes of these types of irregular grain patterns. You might see pitch pockets in cherry or burls in pine and hemlock, but that kind of characteristic is expected in those woods. In that way, each piece of furniture we sell is one-of-a-kind.īut this variation in how trees grow can also cause variation in the appearance of the wood grain when the tree is milled.įor the most part, these irregularities aren't noticeable. Our customers appreciate that our furniture is handcrafted by real people, and they recognize the wood is also unique. Just like people, no two trees are the same. These variables are part of what makes wood so unique and such an attractive material for handmade furniture. Trees that grow in forests with lots of other trees competing for sunlight usually grow taller and straighter than you might find if that same tree grew in a field. The growth of trees is heavily influenced by environmental factors like the altitude, temperature, and the amount of rain and sun they get. In this post, we’ll walk you through the different kinds of figured maple and what gives each its distinguishing characteristics. Tapped maple is also a common way for craftsmen infuse creativity and uniqueness into their furniture design. Some of the most common types of figuring found in natural maple wood are spalting, birdseye patterns, curling, ambrosia, and quilting. It is also known as Scarlet Maple, Carolina Red Maple, Drummond Red Maple, Soft Maple, Swamp Maple and Water Maple.Figured maple wood is one of the most common types of wood you’ll find in artisan and custom wood furniture, especially here in Vermont. Mature height is often shorter in the south, but can reach as high as 90 feet in the north. The red maple is native to North America, generally found in the eastern half of the country from north to south, but grow well when planted from coast to coast. The seeds attract birds and squirrels, but do not make a significant mess. Young red maples are a desirable food source for deer. Due to roots systems that quickly adapt, they are easy to transplant. The wood is weak, and can be susceptible to breakage. Prune by thinning, which often stimulates growth better than fertilization. In good conditions the Red Maple grows with good form, but if the site is poor it may grow with poor form and be defective. Red Maple is prized for brilliant early fall color, which can be yellow, orange or red. Young branches are usually reddish, and green to reddish in fall. They are green on top and whitened on the underside. They are more simple, generally with three lobes but the shape is quite triangular. The leaf of the Red Maple is a bit different than most maples.
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