Wood species
Curly Maple
Tiger maple / fiddleback · Acer spp.
Curly maple comes from many species of maple (the Acer family). Ours is always kiln-dried and domestic. This wood is a great, affordable alternative to exotic woods for furniture projects.
Key facts
- Janka hardness
- Hard classDense maple under the figure
- Stability
- AverageTreat like maple for milling and joinery
- Grain type
- Wavy / curlyHorizontal ripple figure with chatoyancy
- Rot resistance
- Indoor useSold for furniture and specialty interiors
- Sustainability
- DomesticFigured maple from commercial maple supply
- Workability
- Go slowLight passes; tear-out ruins curl
About this wood
Curly maple comes from several Acer species. Ours is always kiln-dried and domestic — an affordable figure hit compared with many exotics.
Horizontal curls finish with strong chatoyancy for instruments, boxes, and furniture. Plane in very small passes; tearout ruins the figure you’re paying for.
What we carry
- Curly maple boards sorted for strong chatoyancy
Thickness is sold in quarters (4/4, 6/4, and so on) — see our hardwood thickness guide. Grades: NHLA grades.