What is Ambrosia Maple?
Botanical Designation: Not a distinct species of maple; describes a fungal discoloration caused by wood-boring ambrosia beetles. The majority of ambrosia maple is found in species of soft maple. Distribution: Primarily temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere Average Dried Weight: 30.2 to 38.0 lbs/ft 3 (485 to 610 kg/m 3) depending on species
What causes the Wormy pattern in soft maple lumber?
The Ambrosia beetle causes the wormy pattern in Soft Maple lumber and the result is very unique looking lumber. The wood has beautiful brown and gray stripes with small worm holes.
Is Maple hard or soft wood?
Even though it is referred to as soft maple, it is only soft in relation to hard maple. A common measurement of wood hardness is the janka hardness test. The test measures the amount of force required to embed a .444″ diameter steel ball halfway into the wood.
Why is it called Ambrosia?
Comments: So named for ambrosia fungi, which is found in association with ambrosia beetles. The beetles bore into the trunk of the tree, bringing with them the ambrosia fungi, which subsequently stains and discolors the surrounding wood.
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What is ambrosia maple good for?
Ambrosia maple is highly desirable for crafts, specialty wood items, veneer, and furniture.
Is Ambrosia a hardwood?
Ambrosia Maple | The Wood Database (Hardwood)
How strong is ambrosia maple?
Ambrosia Maple has a Janka hardness rating of 950.
Is Ambrosia maple good for cutting boards?
Lightly spalted and ambrosia maple make a uniquely pleasing end grain chopping surface in any size. Spalted maple is affordable, presents amazing possibilities and subtlety of grain pattern, and is just as durable and safe as plain old maple if built and cared for properly.
Is Ambrosia Maple durable?
This is a very popular wood for building beautiful and durable furniture. Because of this, it's considered a premium hardwood! Ambrosia Maple is a popular choice for furniture because it's a great mix of affordability and durability.
What wood goes well with ambrosia maple?
WalnutWalnut and ambrosia maple nightstand pair. There are so many ways to combine the two woods in a nightstand, but this is one of my favorites.
Is Ambrosia Maple easy to work with?
It is softer than maple... which I actually like because it is easier to work with than maple... but it is also hard enough that some people around here use it as a flooring material.
Is wormy Maple hard or soft wood?
However, many people love the rustic charm and character that they give to a piece making it one of the most popular woods. Wormy maple is perfect for anyone who wants character from a hardwood, but will also suit contemporary or modern looks.
What is ambrosia wood used for?
Ambrosia Maple LumberPHOTOUSESSuitable for furniture, joinery, ambrosia maple flooring,, turning, paneling, veneering.COMMENTSThe Ambrosia beetle that carries in the Ambrosia fungus on its feet into the wood (the fungus is food for the insect's offspring when they hatch).6 more rows
Where does ambrosia maple wood come from?
Silver Maple rangers from the Great Plains east, excluding the Gold and AtlanticCoastal region. Red Maple grows throughout the eastern United States.
Where do ambrosia maple trees grow?
Ambrosia Maple is the traditional name for a form of red maple found locally in Maryland and Virginia. It has distinctive long, tapered streaks running with the grain, streaks of a contrasting brownish or slightly purplish-grey hue.
What is the best wood for a butcher block?
MapleMaple is one of the best and most popular for butcher block counters because it's hard and has a clear grain. Cherry and red oak offer rich color. Butcher block can also be crafted from bamboo (it works best with end-grain construction) and sustainably farmed exotics such as wenge, zebrawood, and iroko.
Is wormy maple a hardwood?
Wormy maple has a Janka hardness rating of 940, which is considered a softer hardwood.
Is wormy maple a good wood?
The wood is strong and stiff, but has a relatively low shock resistance. Janka hardness is 940. Wormy Maple is common in fine, hand-crafted furniture, guitars, and ornamental turning—and is a beautiful choice for unique doors and other millwork products manufactured by Sun Mountain!
Is wormy maple durable?
Wormy Maple is strong and stiff but has a relatively low shock resistance. Janka hardness is 940 (the Janka Hardness Test measures the resistance of wood to denting and wear, measuring the force, in pounds, required to embed a 0.444” diameter steel ball into wood to half the ball's diameter).
Is brown maple soft?
Brown maple is considered soft in comparison to the hardness of hard maple wood. Brown maple furniture can be compared to cherry here. Both are hardwoods—they are strong and durable. Brown maple has a Janka Hardness rating of 950, which is the same as cherry wood.
Differences Between Hard Maple and Soft Maple
Perhaps you’ve seen a type of lumber for sale known as “soft maple,” and were wondering: what’s the difference between between this Soft Maple and Hard Maple? Just how soft is it? Why does it cost about half as much as Hard Maple? How can I tell the two apart?
Hardness of maples compared
It should be obvious that hard maple is harder than soft maple, but you may be wondering how much of a difference there is between the two. Will soft maple simply collapse like a polystyrene cup as its “soft” name implies?
Telling the two types of maple apart
Unlike the task of telling red and white oak apart, sorting between hard and soft maple isn’t quite as clear-cut. Hard maple, based on simple outward appearances, looks very similar to soft maple, and in general is tough to tell apart in finished pieces.
