Silver Maple
Scientific name: Acer saccharinum
Overview
Silver Maple is a fast-growing hardwood native to eastern and central North America. The species is commonly found along riverbanks, floodplains, and moist forest environments.
The wood is lighter and softer than Hard Maple but shares a similar pale appearance. It typically ranges from creamy white to light brown and may occasionally display subtle figure.
Due to its workability and availability, Silver Maple is often used in furniture, millwork, and general woodworking applications.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Silver Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer saccharinum
- Region: North American Hardwoods (Eastern United States & Canada)
- Tree Size: 50–100 ft tall, 2–4 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 34 lbs/ft³ (545 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 700 lbf
- Color: Pale cream to light brown, sometimes with a slight reddish tint
- Grain: Straight
- Texture: Fine and even
Identification Characteristics
Silver Maple wood typically appears pale with a light brown or slightly grayish cast. The grain is usually straight, though some boards may show subtle figure patterns.
The texture is fine to medium, similar to other maple species but generally softer in density.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale cream to light brown color
- Straight grain pattern
- Fine to medium texture
- Occasionally wavy grain
- Lightweight compared to Hard Maple
Working Properties
Silver Maple is considered easy to machine and work with hand tools. Because it is softer than Hard Maple, it is easier to cut and shape.
- Machines easily
- Turns well on a lathe
- Sands smoothly
- Glues and finishes well
- Moderate dimensional stability
Safety Note
Wood dust from maple species may cause mild respiratory irritation in some individuals. Standard dust protection is recommended during woodworking.
Common Uses
Silver Maple is widely used for general woodworking projects and interior applications.
Common uses include
- Furniture
- Cabinets
- Veneer
- Interior millwork
- Turned objects
- Musical instruments
Sustainability & Notes
Silver Maple grows quickly and is widely distributed across eastern North America. Because of its rapid growth and abundance, it is considered a sustainable and readily available hardwood resource.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Hard Maple – A much denser maple species commonly used for flooring and butcher blocks.
Red Maple – Similar in appearance but slightly harder and heavier.
Bigleaf Maple – A western maple species known for its dramatic figured grain.
Related Guides
Wood Movement and Seasonal Expansion Explained
Understand how changes in humidity cause wood to expand and contract, and how to design projects that prevent warping, cracking, and joint failure.
Maple vs. Oak
Explore Maple vs. Oak for a practical comparison of these major hardwood groups and their performance in furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and general woodworking.
How to Store Exotic Wood Samples
Wood collectors often preserve maple samples for comparison and study.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Silver Maple is often collected as a representative North American maple because it shows the lighter, softer side of the maple group. While it is generally less dramatic than figured Bigleaf Maple, some pieces can display attractive wavy grain or subtle visual variation that makes them interesting in a wood collection.
Small boards, turning blanks, and comparison samples are especially useful for collectors who want to study the differences between Silver Maple, Red Maple, and Hard Maple within the same regional cluster.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
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