Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
The West Coast's answer to soft maple, often prized more for its quilted and curly figure than its modest hardness.
Commonly built
- Guitar tops
- Furniture
- Turned bowls
- Veneer
Appearance
Light tan to golden brown; frequently shows quilted, curly, or spalted figure.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Machines easily. Figured boards can tear out during planing, finish sand or use a scraper on curly sections.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn bigleaf maple panel moves roughly 0.39 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Bigleaf Maple move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Bigleaf Maple?
Bigleaf Maple has a Janka hardness of 850 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Bigleaf Maple suitable for outdoor use?
Bigleaf Maple is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Bigleaf Maple to work with?
Bigleaf Maple has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Bigleaf Maple move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn bigleaf maple panel moves roughly 0.39 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Prone to blotching like other maples; condition or use dye before pigment stain. Figured pieces (quilted, curly) come alive under dye and oil, which is the main reason it is prized.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used bigleaf maple, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.