Queensland Maple
Scientific name: Flindersia brayleyana
Overview
Queensland Maple is a light to medium-density Australian hardwood known for its pink to pale reddish-brown coloration and excellent workability. Despite its common name, it is not a true maple but belongs to the Rutaceae family.
It has long been used in cabinetry, interior joinery, and musical instruments due to its stability and clean machining characteristics. Compared to heavier Australian eucalyptus species, Queensland Maple occupies a lighter, more refined niche within the region’s hardwood spectrum.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Queensland Maple
- Scientific Name: Flindersia brayleyana
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Australia – Queensland rainforests)
- Tree Size: 80–130 ft tall, 2–4 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft³ (530 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 900 lbf
- Color: Pinkish to reddish brown, often darkening with age
- Grain: Straight to slightly interlocked
- Texture: Medium
Identification Characteristics
Queensland Maple is identified by its uniform pinkish to light reddish-brown tone. The grain is typically straight and even, with a medium texture that produces a smooth finished surface.
It lacks the dramatic ray figure of Silky Oak and the deep density of Jarrah, instead presenting a clean, refined appearance suitable for cabinetry and fine interior work.
Key identification traits include:
- Pink to light red tone
- Straight, even grain
- Medium texture
- Moderate weight
- Smooth, clean machining surface
Working Properties
Queensland Maple is considered easy to work.
- Machines cleanly
- Sands smoothly
- Glues and finishes well
- Stable in interior environments
- Responds well to clear finishes and stains
It is commonly selected when ease of machining and visual consistency are desired.
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause irritation in sensitive individuals. Standard dust protection is recommended.
Common Uses
Queensland Maple common uses including:
- Cabinetry
- Interior joinery
- Veneer
- Furniture
- Musical instruments
- Decorative paneling
Sustainability & Notes
Queensland Maple is harvested under Australian forestry regulations. Availability is moderate, though supply can fluctuate due to environmental protections in rainforest regions. Plantation-grown material supports sustainability.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Silky Oak – An Australian species with dramatic ray fleck and coarser texture, contrasting with the more subtle and uniform appearance of Queensland Maple.
Spanish Cedar – A lightweight tropical hardwood often used in cabinetry, typically softer and more aromatic than Queensland Maple.
African Mahogany – A widely used hardwood with a deeper reddish tone and more pronounced grain, offering greater durability than Queensland Maple.
Related Guides
How to Identify Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Queensland Maple demonstrates straight, even grain typical of cabinetry species.
Density & Hardness Explained (Janka Scale Guide)
Its moderate hardness contrasts with dense Australian structural species like Jarrah and Ironbark.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability
Proper acclimation ensures stability in interior joinery 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
Queensland Maple is collected primarily as a reference species representing lighter Australian hardwoods. Its uniform color and straight grain make it useful for comparison against darker or heavily figured species within the Oceania cluster. Clean, flat-sawn samples best demonstrate its characteristic pinkish tone. Because of its moderate density, it is lighter than most eucalyptus species, providing contrast in a documented collection.
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Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
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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
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.
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