Shopping Cart

Maple – Ambrosia

Acer spp.
Also known as |
Ambrosia|Ambrosia Maple|Wormy Maple
Maple - Ambrosia Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Ambrosia Maple is a general term attached to a variety of Acer (true maple) species whose boards included colorful bug “trails” — caused by a fungus carried by the Ambrosia Beetle which penetrates the tree sap as the beetle eats into the tree, and it spreads both through the worm hole and up and down in the tree (carried along by the sap) and causes discoloring of the wood in streaks. The two primary species which draw the beetle’s attention are Acer rubrum (Red Maple) and Acer saccharum (Sugar Maple), although — with there reputedly being more than sixty different Acer species indigenous to North America — this unusual phenomenon is certainly not confined to just the two. Weight and density can vary greatly — depending upon the actual species — the typical varieties of maple figuring can also be present, often creating some very unique, visually spectacular specimens.

Like any other maple, it is easily worked; generally cooperative through all phases. It’s not much of a stretch to imagine — since bugs have, quite obviously, already penetrated the wood’s surface — that the wood is decidedly non-durable, although it is generally stable enough for use in furniture and guitars.  Its surface is typically darker than most sap maple (often featuring secondary / additional discolorations and other long streaks), although it retains the same high degree of natural luster.

The scientific explanation is that the impregnated Ambrosia Beetle burrows into the maple tree (presumably for a safe place to deposit larvae), carrying fungi on its feet into the wood — which serves as food for the insect’s offspring, when they hatch. The fungal residue left behind as it digs into the maple can cause discoloration throughout the wood, via the tree’s sap, in addition to the dramatically contrasting (mostly) blue and (sometimes) green trails which surround the small tunnels they chew. The beetles prefer wood that is not soaking wet, but that is in the beginning stages of drying. Once kiln dried, they will not re-infest.

Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Why We Love This Wood

We love the funky patterns left by 'Ambrose' doing the proverbial worm on its wooden dance floor!

Client Creations
    Quick Look
    Maple - Ambrosia Lumber @ Rare Woods USA
    No items found
    A Popular Choice in
    Vital Statistics
    Main Color GroupVariegated
    Grain Pattern Pronounced
    Avg Dry Weight - LB/BF3.4
    Avg Dry Weight - KG/M3660
    Janka Hardness - LBF1200
    Janka Hardness - N5300
    Pricing

    Description

    Grade

    UOM

    Price

    Maple-Ambrosia-Standard-4/4Lumber
    4/4 Lumber
    Standard
    bf
    5.2
    bf
    no

    Pre-cut Sizes
    0 results

    Type

    Dimensions

    Grade

    Price

    No items found

    Lumber Packs
    0 results

    Title

    Qty

    Grade

    Price

    No items found
    Shop

    Browse SIMILAR lumber products by size, thickness, type or price

    Search With Filters
    Price
    Length
    Width
    Thickness
    Search
    Spoil your favorite “Wood Nutter” with a gift card from Rare Woods SA
    MAPAMB1138_1
    MAPAMB1138
    1.44"
    x 14.19" x
    52.19"
    Skip planed,Surface defect,Bark inclusion

    $120.39

    MAPAMB1133_1
    MAPAMB1133
    1.5"
    x 14.38" x
    52.38"
    Edge defect,Surface defect,Crack,Wormholes

    $110.35

    MAPAMB1132_1
    MAPAMB1132
    1.44"
    x 14.75" x
    50.94"
    Skip planed,Wormholes

    $121.07

    MAPAMB1129_1
    MAPAMB1129
    1.44"
    x 13" x
    51.88"
    Skip planed,Edge defect,Wormholes

    $108.67

    MAPAMB1128_1
    MAPAMB1128
    0.94"
    x 11.69" x
    42.13"
    Wormholes

    $39.80

    MAPAMB1126_1
    MAPAMB1126
    0.81"
    x 5.63" x
    39.88"
    Edge defect,Skip planed

    $16.51

    MAPAMB1125_1
    MAPAMB1125
    0.94"
    x 11.75" x
    42.19"
    Edge defect,Wormholes

    $36.89

    MAPAMB1123_1
    MAPAMB1123
    0.81"
    x 5.63" x
    40.81"
    Bark inclusion,Edge defect,Skip planed

    $16.72

    MAPAMB1121_1
    MAPAMB1121
    0.81"
    x 5.56" x
    39.94"
    Skip planed,Edge defect

    $16.21

    MAPAMB1119_1
    MAPAMB1119
    0.94"
    x 11.75" x
    41.81"
    Cracks,Skip planed,Wormholes

    $36.93

    MAPAMB1118_1
    MAPAMB1118
    0.75"
    x 4.19" x
    40.38"
    Edge defect,Skip planed,Small cracks

    $9.08

    MAPAMB1117_1
    MAPAMB1117
    0.94"
    x 8.19" x
    41.88"
    Skip planed,Edge defect,Bark inclusion

    $25.18

    MAPAMB1114_1
    MAPAMB1114
    0.94"
    x 8.13" x
    39.31"
    Skip planed,Wormhole

    $26.34

    MAPAMB1113_1
    MAPAMB1113
    0.94"
    x 9.56" x
    42"
    Edge defect,Wormhole

    $32.46

    MAPAMB1112_1
    MAPAMB1112
    0.94"
    x 8.06" x
    39.06"
    Skip planed,Bark inclusion,Edge defect,Small cracks

    $26.59

    maple-ambrosia
    0
      0
      Your Cart
      Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop

      Species Pricing Enquiry

      Species Pricing Enquiry