How to Identify Maple Wood

How to Identify Maple Wood thumbnail
Identifying a specific type of wood can assist you with many different projects.

The woodworking industry is one of the oldest and most stable industries in the world today. Most goods in everyday life are created with wood. One of the most common forms of wood used, is maple wood and can be identified by its unique physical properties. By identifying the exact type of wood, consumers can make informed choices. Workers within the woodworking industry can identify the various types of woods and can provide an expert opinion. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • Notepad
  • Pen or pencil
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect the wood for color. Maple tends to appear almost white with a yellow tint.

    • 2

      Place your hand on the wood in question. Inspect the texture of the wood and determine whether the wood would fit into the hard or soft category. Hardwood has a strong and compact density, while softwood tends to have a more hollow, spongier feel. Record your findings in your notepad.

    • 3

      Closely inspect the wood and look for grain. Maple commonly appears to have oval-like warped rings with a coarse texture. Compare your wood sample to maple texture samples. Record your findings in your notepad.

    • 4

      Review the information collected in your notepad. Check the consistency of your information to see whether or not it matches up to the properties of maple wood. Write down what you think the wood may be.

    • 5

      Take a sample of the wood to a lumber yard. Find a lumber worker and ask for their opinion. Explain to them that you may believe the wood to be maple. Their expert opinion should be able to help you determine whether or not the wood is indeed maple.

Tips & Warnings

  • Many different types of wood look alike, look for a second opinion when you are unsure of what type of wood it may be.

Related Searches:

References

Resources

  • Photo Credit Yagi Studio/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Comments

You May Also Like

  • How to Identify Curly Maple Trees

    The curly maple tree --- also known as the sugar maple --- is a popular tree for making maple syrup. The tree...

  • How to Identify Maple Flooring

    Durable and easy to work with, maple hardwood flooring is often installed in commercial establishments such as bowling alleys and on athletic...

  • How to Identify Hardwood Lumber

    There are two main categories of wood: hardwood and softwood. Like the name suggests, hardwood is more durable than softwood and includes...

  • How to Identify Birdseye Maple Trees

    Birdseye maple has become a popular wood for craftsman to make high-quality furniture and crafts with. The cause of what makes birdseye...

  • How to Raise Maple Wood Grain

    If you're planning to use a water-based stain or you want to give your maple wood a rougher look, you can raise...

  • How to Identify Cut Wood Types

    Woods fall into several categories of hardness. Softwood trees are generally evergreen conifers. Hardwoods are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves each...

  • How to Identify Types of Screws for Building Wood Furniture

    Building wood furniture requires not only the proper tools but also the appropriate fasteners. Wood screws are designed specifically for the builder...

  • About Maple Lumber

    Maple trees are a hardwood, broadleaf, deciduous species that is converted into lumber. The diverse varieties of these trees are located in...

  • How to Finish Maple Wood

    Enhance the appearance of a maple wood surface and protect it from scratching and moisture by finishing it with the appropriate coatings....

  • Properties of the Wood of Maple Trees

    Maple wood is lumber from maple trees -- a large genus of more than 120 species. Maple image by Lucia from Fotolia.com

Related Ads

Featured