Norway Maple
Scientific name: Acer platanoides
Overview
Norway Maple is one of the most widely recognized European hardwood species and has long been valued for its stability, pale coloration, and versatile woodworking properties. Native across much of Europe, this species has also been extensively planted in urban landscapes and managed forests due to its adaptability and rapid growth.
The wood is generally light cream to pale tan in color with a fine, even texture that gives it a clean and refined appearance. Compared to Sycamore Maple, Norway Maple tends to display slightly less figure and a more uniform grain structure.
Within the European hardwood group, Norway Maple serves as an important utility and furniture hardwood known for balance rather than extreme density or dramatic grain.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Norway Maple
- Scientific Name: Acer platanoides
- Region: European Hardwoods (Europe)
- Tree Size: 65–100 ft tall, 2–4 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 39 lbs/ft³ (625 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 1,010 lbf
- Color: Pale cream to light tan, occasionally with slight reddish tones
- Grain: Generally straight, sometimes lightly wavy
- Texture: Fine and even
Identification Characteristics
Norway Maple is identified by its light uniform coloration and smooth, refined grain structure. The wood typically lacks the darker streaking or dramatic contrast seen in more decorative hardwoods.
The grain is commonly straight with a soft natural luster. Figured pieces may occasionally display subtle curl or wave patterns, though most commercial stock remains relatively uniform.
Key identification traits include:
- Fine and even texture
- Pale cream to light tan coloration
- Smooth grain appearance
- Subtle natural luster
- Small diffuse pores
- Occasional light curly figure
Working Properties
Norway Maple is considered easy to machine and performs well across a wide range of woodworking applications.
Because of its balanced hardness and clean appearance, it is commonly selected for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and utility woodworking projects.
- Machines cleanly with sharp tools
- Turns and carves well
- Sands to a smooth surface
- Accepts stains and finishes evenly
- Glues reliably
- Maintains good dimensional stability when dry
Safety Note
Norway Maple dust may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals. Proper dust collection and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding operations.
Common Uses
Norway Maple common uses including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior millwork
- Flooring
- Turned objects
- Musical instruments
- Decorative veneers
- Wood carving
Sustainability & Notes
Norway Maple remains widely available throughout Europe and is commonly cultivated in managed forestry systems and urban environments.
The species is not typically considered rare, though premium figured material is less common and commands higher value among woodworkers and collectors.
Because of its adaptability and fast growth, Norway Maple continues to play an important role in both commercial forestry and landscape planting throughout Europe.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Sycamore Maple – A closely related European maple species known for its brighter white coloration and occasional highly figured grain used in musical instruments and fine furniture.
Field Maple – A smaller European maple species with denser growth characteristics and slightly warmer coloration.
European Beech – Another widely used European hardwood valued for its pale appearance, fine texture, and strong furniture applications.
Related Guides
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.
Wood Movement and Seasonal Expansion Explained
Understand how humidity changes affect hardwood stability and why acclimation is important for furniture and flooring projects.
Hardwood vs Softwood: Key Differences Explained
Explore the structural and botanical differences between hardwood and softwood species and how those differences affect woodworking applications.
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
Norway Maple samples should display consistent pale coloration and a smooth, refined grain structure. Most samples remain fairly uniform, though figured material with light curl or wave can occasionally be found.
Collectors should distinguish Norway Maple from Sycamore Maple by its generally warmer tone and less pronounced figuring.
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.
Love This Species?
Enjoy learning about this wood species?
Help support the continued growth of Exotic Woods of the World by participating in our Adopt a Species program. Your support helps fund species research, educational content, photography, videos, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
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.
Related Tools & Products:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Share This Wood Species
Stay Connected
Follow the latest species additions, educational resources, videos, conservation initiatives, and major project milestones through our Site Updates archive.
The Site Updates archive provides a permanent record of new content, library growth, and future developments across Exotic Woods of the World.