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Maple – Birdseye

Acer saccharum
Also known as |
Birdseye Maple
Maple - Birdseye Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Birdseye Maple is another title which does not, necessarily, denote a specific Acer species — although the bulk of what is sold is Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) — but rather a unique figuring that occurs in maple as a result of numerous small- to medium-sized knots accumulating in the wood. It remains one of the most coveted and sought-after of all figured maple varieties.

Although it has never been scientifically proven, the prevailing school of thought is that the figuring is reportedly caused by unfavorable growing conditions. As the tree attempts to access more sunlight, buds begin to sprout in its trunk — to try and grow more branches, to access more light — but the tree lacks the requisite nutrients to support the growth and the new shoots are aborted, resulting in “birdseyes” (small knots) embedded in the tree’s wood.

There can be very large variances in birdseye size and content. Boards with larger concentrations of birdseyes are, obviously, more sought after and thus command greater prices than more sparsely decorated pieces. When sanded and finish-sanded, boards featuring somewhat larger birdseyes can have an almost 3D look — like brown bumps, sitting up on a light golden surface.

There have been tearout issues associated with birdseyes, as sometimes these tiny knots can wind up leaving tiny voids. There are also justified concerns that the tiny voids may occur sometime after the wood has been put into service. Because of this, some electric guitar luthiers shy away from using Birdseye Maple for fretboard wood, as slotting the frets can prove adventurous (if not downright painful:-)). Others, who do use it, will apply a finish coat of some type of protective lacquer over the fretboard when completing the neck.

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

Why We Love This Wood

Gorgeous grain patterns found in a Maine species? What's not to love?

Client Creations
    Quick Look
    Maple - Birdseye Lumber @ Rare Woods USA
    https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/box-jgeorge0.jpeg,https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/box-jgeorge1.jpeg,Jonathan George https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/guitar-ron1-zoom.jpeg,https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/guitar-ron2.jpg,https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/guitar-ron1.jpg,Ron http://dev.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TomGuelcher-chest.jpg,Tom Guelcher http://dev.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/box-merlekruger1-rotated.jpeg,http://dev.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/box-merlekruger-2-rotated.jpeg,Merle Kruger http://dev.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OliveAshTable4-e1583220836911.jpeg,http://dev.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OliveAshTable1-e1583220888142.jpeg,http://dev.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OliveAshTable2-e1583220873838.jpeg,http://dev.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OliveAshTable3-e1583220854198.jpeg,Jay Coughlin http://dev.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IntarsiaCompass-Jo.jpg,Jo Labre
    A Popular Choice in
    Vital Statistics
    Main Color GroupYellow / White
    Grain Pattern Figured
    Avg Dry Weight - LB/BF3.7
    Avg Dry Weight - KG/M3705
    Janka Hardness - LBF1450
    Janka Hardness - N6450
    Pricing

    Description

    Grade

    UOM

    Price

    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-4/4Lumber-heavyfigure
    4/4 Lumber – heavy figure
    1 Common & better
    bf
    15
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-6/4Lumber-heavyfigure

    6/4 Lumber – heavy figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    27
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-8/4Lumber-heavyfigure

    8/4 Lumber – heavy figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    29
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-4/4Lumber-unsortedfigure

    4/4 Lumber – unsorted figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    8
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-6/4Lumber-unsortedfigure

    6/4 Lumber – unsorted figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    16
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-8/4Lumber-unsortedfigure

    8/4 Lumber – unsorted figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    18
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-Ungraded-Peelercores-84″long

    Peeler cores – 84″ long

    Ungraded
    ea
    250
    ea
    no

    Pre-cut Sizes
    Lumber Packs
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    MAPBEH1792_1
    MAPBEH1792
    1.5"
    x 5.31" x
    48.31"
    Small cracks. Defects on edges.

    $70.16

    MAPBEH1791_1
    MAPBEH1791
    1.5"
    x 5.38" x
    48.25"
    Defect on edge.

    $77.69

    MAPBEH1790_1
    MAPBEH1790
    1.5"
    x 5.31" x
    48.25"
    Small cracks.

    $77.40

    MAPBEH1789_1
    MAPBEH1789
    1.5"
    x 7.44" x
    40.69"
    Small crack. Defect on edge. Low figure.

    $75.48

    MAPBEH1788_1
    MAPBEH1788
    1.5"
    x 7.06" x
    40.63"
    Planer burn.

    $79.97

    MAPBEH1787_1
    MAPBEH1787
    1.5"
    x 7.38" x
    40.5"
    Planer burn.

    $82.81

    MAPBEH1786_1
    MAPBEH1786
    1.5"
    x 6.5" x
    40.56"
    Defects on edges. Nice figure.

    $67.10

    MAPBEH1785_1
    MAPBEH1785
    1.5"
    x 6.5" x
    40.63"
    Fantastic figure.

    $107.57

    MAPBEH1784_1
    MAPBEH1784
    1.5"
    x 6.5" x
    40.5"
    Fantastic figure. Planer burn.

    $106.79

    MAPBEH1783_1
    MAPBEH1783
    1.5"
    x 6.19" x
    40.63"
    Defect on edge. Skip planed. Kinked.

    $61.94

    MAPBEH1782_1
    MAPBEH1782
    1.5"
    x 6.19" x
    40.56"
    Defect on edge. Skip planed.

    $61.94

    MAPBEH1781_1
    MAPBEH1781
    1.5"
    x 6.19" x
    40.31"
    Bark inclusion. Skip planed edges.

    $62.50

    MAPBEH1780_1
    MAPBEH1780
    1.5"
    x 5.38" x
    40.56"
    Nice board.

    $61.25

    MAPBEH1779_1
    MAPBEH1779
    1.5"
    x 5.5" x
    40.56"
    Defects on edges.

    $56.48

    MAPBEH1778_1
    MAPBEH1778
    1.5"
    x 5.38" x
    40.5"
    Skip planed. Bark inclusion. Some planer burn.

    $56.12

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