TREES
Maple
AREAS OF GROWTH
Maple has an excellent reputation both as a tree and as the wood around the world. It contains vibrant autumn colors and is often planted as ornamental. Perhaps, there is no other timber with more figures than the maple in the wood form. The maple grows naturally in stony, rocky and calcareous bedrock areas, but the temperate climate is the key factor for its efficient growth. There are more than 150 maple species in the world, but most of them are native to the Asian continent. When we examine its distribution, we can say that it has many species in Asia, Europe, North Africa and North America.
EXPORT/IMPORT
Generally, the maple’s log and timber have been imported from Russia, Ukraine and Georgia, but they should be without bark. Soft maple timber is mainly exported from the Eastern United States. In addition, France, Canada and Russia are also among the exporting countries.
FEATURES/STRUCTURE
The maple is one of the hard and tight tree species. Its color is slightly yellowish-white or pink-white. Its wood has generally gotten more yellowish over time. The maple usually has wide sapwood. Its heartwood, by the way, is typically dark and distinct. Its texture is smooth and non-fibrous. The tree’s height can reach an average of 20-30 meters, and its trunk diameter can reach up to 1.5 meters. All species of maple trees are not the same weight, but generally, their wet weight is between 530-790 kg/m3, and their dried weight is between 480-750 kg/m3. Plus, it should be remembered that some discolorations inevitably occur on its surface when it has dried in the open air. If it is dried in a kiln, you should keep the temperature low. While the white color is preserved in fast-drying, a pinkish-brown color occurs in slow drying. You should avoid streaming because it can cause stains on the wood’s surface. Furthermore, the maple wood is not very durable and its sapwood is susceptible to insects. Although its heartwood is not resistant to degradation, it can be resistible with the protective treatment.
WORKING PROPERTIES
Generally, the maple wood is known as easy to process. You can efficiently work on it with hand tools and machines. Its structure is suitable for stretching and bending. It can be cut and peeled off nicely. It also has perfect nails and screws holding strength. Therefore, some operations on its wood, such as adhering, drilling and carving, can be performed effortlessly. Moreover, the maple is easy to sand, paint and polish until it becomes smooth. But its wood tends to warp and crack. Since it is susceptible to humidity, some rots on its surface may occur. Sometimes, it can be destroyed by insects and microorganisms, but only in inappropriate conditions,
areas of use
Thanks to its excellent environmental adaptation, longevity, and tremendous light colors, the maple has been highly preferred worldwide for a long time. But unfortunately, its sale as timber has been limited. Mostly, it has been sold in massive or veneered form. Finally, it has been used in the production of veneer, coating, furniture, musical instruments and kitchen benches. It is also used for carving, toy making and at some fine workmanships.