Overview

Soft Maple is a versatile American hardwood favored for its fine grain, subtle color, and reliable performance across a wide range of uses. Often chosen as a cost-effective alternative to Hard Maple, it machines and finishes smoothly while offering excellent dimensional stability and consistent appearance.

At Bennett Hardwoods, our kiln-dried Soft Maple is brought to a uniform 6–8% moisture content for stability and smooth processing. Each board is carefully graded to NHLA standards and selected for clarity, tone, and grain consistency — ensuring reliable results whether used for cabinetry, millwork, or export furniture production.

Soft Maple Clean

Soft Maple Lumber - Our Products

Every Bennett Soft Maple board is graded to NHLA specifications by experienced hardwood graders. Known for its even texture and subtle color variation, Soft Maple provides a clean surface ideal for staining or painting, making it a favorite among furniture and interior joinery manufacturers.

Grades Lengths (ft) Thicknesses Surfacing
S&B 6', 7', 8', 9-10', 11-12', 13-16' 5/4, 6/4, 8/4 Rough & Surfaced
1C 4-8', 9-10', 11-12', 13-16' 5/4, 6/4, 8/4 Rough & Surfaced
2A 4-8', 9-10', 11-12', 13-16' 5/4, 6/4, 8/4 Rough & Surfaced

ExactSort™ Tailored Soft Maple Lumber, Precision Matched

Soft Maple varies naturally from pale cream to light reddish-brown. With ExactSort™, Bennett Hardwoods lets customers choose the color range that best fits their needs — from bright sapwood for painted cabinetry to mixed color for furniture. Each production run is sorted to your specifications, ensuring consistency and repeatability from start to finish.

Documented - Exact Sort 2

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Inventory - Soft
Maple

Access real-time availability of kiln-dried Soft Maple by grade, thickness, and surfacing. Check current stock, request quotes instantly, and schedule shipments through your Bennett customer portal.

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Sourcing Regions

Fresh-Cut. Graded. Export-Ready.

Bennett Hardwoods sources Soft Maple from the northern and central United States, including Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Trees from these regions grow slowly in cool climates, producing fine-textured logs with bright, uniform color and excellent machining performance. Every board is processed, kiln-dried, and graded in-house, ensuring full ISPM-15 export compliance and traceability from log to shipment.

Map - Ash

Kiln Dried Soft Maple Technical Data Table

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Scientific & Common Names

Common Names Soft Maple
Scientific Name Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, Acer nigrum
Other Names Red Maple, Silver Maple, Black Maple
Tree Distribution Eastern and Central United States

Physical & Mechanical Properties

Color / Appearance Sapwood is creamy white, sometimes with a gray or pink hue; heartwood light to medium reddish-brown. Fine, uniform texture with straight grain.
Janka Hardness 950 lbf (4,230 N)
Average Dry Weight 38 lb/ft³ (610 kg/m³)
Specific Gravity 0.54
Shrinkage (Tangential / Radial) 8.2% / 4.0%
Elastic Modulus 10.1 GPa
Crushing Strength 6,000 psi (41.4 MPa)
Workability Machines easily and finishes well. Takes stain and paint uniformly, often used as a substitute for Hard Maple where weight or cost savings are desired.
Odor Faint, sweet aroma when machined.

FAQ - Soft Maple

How does Soft Maple differ from Hard Maple?

Yes while Emerald Ash Borer has affected some regions, responsible forestry and managed stands ensure steady availability from certified sources in the Upper Midwest.

Is Soft Maple a good substitute for Cherry or Birch?

Yes while Emerald Ash Borer has affected some regions, responsible forestry and managed stands ensure steady availability from certified sources in the Upper Midwest.

Does Soft Maple darken over time?

Yes while Emerald Ash Borer has affected some regions, responsible forestry and managed stands ensure steady availability from certified sources in the Upper Midwest.

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