Wood species
Ambrosia Maple
Wormy maple · Acer spp.
Our kiln-dried ambrosia maple mostly comes from the Northeast and is a mix of hard maple and soft maple, which is the standard for FAS ambrosia maple. Unlike spalted maple, ambrosia maple gets it’s unique coloration from a wood-boring beatle and is often called “wormy maple.”
Key facts
- Janka hardness
- Maple classSoft or hard maple range depending on the pack — denser than pine
- Stability
- AverageSame shop habits as other maple
- Grain type
- Streaked characterVertical fungal streaks with pinholes at the centers
- Rot resistance
- Indoor character woodSound stock — streaks are cosmetic once dry
- Sustainability
- DomesticFigured/character maple supply
- Workability
- Standard mapleWatch exits around holes; sharp tools limit tear-out
About this wood
Ambrosia coloration comes from a wood-boring beetle and the fungi that follow — not spalting rot. Packs are typically mixed hard and soft maple, which is standard for FAS ambrosia.
Along with hickory, it’s one of our top picks for one-of-a-kind cabinet components. Watch exits around pinholes; sharp tools keep tear-out down.
What we carry
- Ambrosia maple with beetle streaks and pinholes as the feature
Thickness is sold in quarters (4/4, 6/4, and so on) — see our hardwood thickness guide. Grades: NHLA grades.