Maple Burl is one of the most versatile and visually striking burl woods, valued for its brightness, tight figure, and ability to take dye and finish exceptionally well.
What Maple Burl Is
Maple burl forms on maple trees (Acer species) as an irregular growth caused by stress, injury, or disease. It is most commonly found on:
• Bigleaf maple
• Hard (sugar) maple
• Red maple
Maple Burl is one of the most versatile and visually striking burl woods, valued for its brightness, tight figure, and ability to take dye and finish exceptionally well.
What Maple Burl Is
Maple burl forms on maple trees (Acer species) as an irregular growth caused by stress, injury, or disease. It is most commonly found on:
• Bigleaf maple
• Hard (sugar) maple
• Red maple
• Silver maple
Maple burls are found primarily in North America, especially the Pacific Northwest and the eastern United States.
Appearance & Grain
Maple burl is known for its dense eye structure and flowing, cloud-like grain patterns.
Visual characteristics:
• Tight clusters of “eyes” mixed with swirls and feathering
• Highly figured but often more uniform than exotic burls
• Strong chatoyance (light-shifting depth)
• Clean, refined look that highlights fine detail
Color range:
• Creamy white
• Pale blonde
• Light tan
• Soft amber
Maple burl readily accepts dyes, allowing for vivid blues, reds, greens, and stabilized color treatments.
Density & Working Properties
• Medium to hard density (varies by maple species)
• Fine, closed grain
• Stable when properly dried or stabilized
• Excellent machining and turning characteristics
Working notes:
• Cuts cleanly with sharp tools
• Sands smoothly with minimal tear-out
• Takes glue, epoxy, and stabilization very well
• Finishes to a high polish
Because of its lighter color and structure, maple burl is one of the best burls for stabilization and dye infusion.
Common Uses
Maple burl is extremely popular across many crafts:
• Knife scales
• Turned bowls and vessels
• Pen blanks
• Jewelry and inlay
• Guitar tops and accents
• Decorative boxes
• Furniture panels and veneer
Its clean look makes it ideal for both natural finishes and bold dyed pieces.
Rarity & Value
• Maple burls are more common than many exotic burls
• High-grade burl with tight eyes and minimal voids is still highly desirable
• Larger burls with consistent figure command premium prices
• Veneer-quality maple burl is highly sought after
