Mountain Maple
Scientific name: Acer spicatum
Overview
Mountain Maple is a small North American hardwood native to the cool forests of northeastern North America. Its natural range extends from Newfoundland and Quebec west to Manitoba and Minnesota, and south through the Appalachian Mountains into Georgia. A member of the Sapindaceae family, Mountain Maple is commonly found growing along forest edges, mountain slopes, stream banks, and other cool, moist habitats where it serves as an important understory tree.
Unlike Sugar Maple or Red Maple, Mountain Maple rarely grows large enough for commercial lumber production. However, its wood possesses the fine texture, close grain, and good workability typical of the maple genus. The species is valued primarily for wildlife habitat, erosion control, ornamental plantings, and small specialty woodworking projects.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Mountain Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer spicatum
- Region: North American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 15–30 ft (4.5–9 m) tall, 6–12 in (15–30 cm) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 37 lbs/ft³ (595 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Approximately 900 lbf
- Grain: Straight
- Texture: Fine and uniform
Identification Characteristics
Mountain Maple produces pale cream to light brown heartwood with nearly white sapwood that is only slightly differentiated. The grain is generally straight, while the texture is fine and uniform with a smooth appearance and low natural luster. Because the species typically grows as a small tree or large shrub, clear lumber is uncommon, and wood often contains knots or curved grain.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale cream to light brown heartwood
- Nearly white sapwood
- Straight grain
- Fine, uniform texture
- Low natural luster
- Small-diameter trunks
- Often grows as a multi-stemmed tree or large shrub
Working Properties
Mountain Maple is easy to work with using both hand and power tools. Its fine, even texture allows it to machine, carve, and turn cleanly. The wood glues well and readily accepts stains, oils, and clear finishes, making it suitable for small woodworking projects.
- Machines easily
- Excellent carving characteristics
- Turns well
- Sands to a smooth finish
- Glues readily
- Accepts stains and finishes well
- Good dimensional stability
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause mild skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Standard dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Although commercial lumber production is uncommon, Mountain Maple is used for numerous specialty woodworking applications, including:
- Wood carvings
- Turned objects
- Walking sticks
- Craft projects
- Decorative boxes
- Small furniture
- Wooden utensils
- Educational wood collections
- Ornamental landscaping
- Wildlife habitat restoration
Sustainability & Notes
Mountain Maple is widespread throughout northern forests and mountain regions of eastern North America. It serves as an important understory species by providing browse for deer, moose, and other wildlife while helping stabilize soils along stream banks and forested slopes. Because of its relatively small size, the species is seldom harvested commercially and is primarily valued for its ecological importance.
Its brilliant yellow to orange fall foliage also makes Mountain Maple a popular native ornamental tree for naturalized landscapes.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Striped Maple – Another small understory maple native to eastern North America, recognized for its distinctive green bark with white stripes.
Rocky Mountain Maple – A western North American species occupying mountain forests and sharing a similar small stature and ecological role.
Black Maple – A much larger commercial maple widely used for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and architectural millwork.
Related Guides
Identifying Unknown Wood Samples – Learn practical techniques for identifying hardwoods using grain, texture, color, and other physical characteristics.
Best Woods for Flooring – Compare hardwood flooring species based on hardness, wear resistance, stability, appearance, maintenance requirements, and overall performance in residential and commercial spaces.
Wood Families & Trade Groups – Explore how botanical families help explain the similarities shared among maple species and other hardwoods.
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
Mountain Maple is an excellent collector species because it represents one of the lesser-known native maples of northeastern North America. Its small stature and limited commercial use make authenticated wood samples relatively uncommon compared to larger maple species. A documented specimen complements collections featuring Rocky Mountain Maple, Striped Maple, Black Maple, Vine Maple, and other members of the diverse Acer genus while illustrating the ecological diversity found within North America’s native maples.
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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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Availability & Where to Buy
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As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
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