Soft Maple (Figured)

Soft Maple grows in all three regions, although it is most abundant in the North. The sapwood is white with a slight grayish cast. Heartwood is dark gray or brown and makes up a larger portion of Soft Maple logs compared to Hard Maple and so Soft Maple is less likely to be traded using white specifications. The wood is moderately hard and strong but less so than Hard Maple. Curly Maple is more commonly found in Soft Maple than in Hard Maple.

Soft Maple takes stain quite well and is often used as a substitute for more expensive species such as Cherry or Hard Maple. It is used in furniture, veneer and specialty applications. Substitute species include Birch and Hard Maple.