No, tiger maple is not extinct. Tiger maple is a type of hardwood tree that is found mostly in North America. It is also referred to as striped, curly, flamed or fiddleback maple. The trees are large and can grow up to 120 feet tall with a trunk diameter of 6-8 feet.
Tiger maple has a unique and highly distinct look to it due to the “tiger-like” stripes that give it its name. The wood is strong and durable, making it an ideal choice for furniture and other woodworking applications.
While tiger maple trees are not threatened by extinction, they are considered an unusual tree and may not be common in all areas. The wood is also quite sought after, so the demand for it can drive prices up.
As with any species of tree, it is important to practice responsible harvesting and avoid cutting down trees simply for the sale of their wood.
Is there such a thing as tiger maple?
Yes, tiger maple is a variation of the hardwood species Acer saccharum, known as sugar maple. The unique aspect of tiger maple is the appearance of its grain and figure. The grain has a striped pattern, like a tiger’s coat, that is enhanced by the wood’s light and dark color contrast.
This pattern is caused by the gradual shift from hardwood to softwood in the growth rings. The amount of tiger stripes varies from tree to tree, but they are typically more prominent on quartersawn lumber.
Tiger maple is a popular choice of wood for furniture-making, due to its distinctive look, strength, and stability. It is also used in guitars, drums, and other instruments.
Is tiger maple the same as curly maple?
No, tiger maple and curly maple are two different types of wood. Tiger maple is also known as ‘fiddleback’ maple because it is often used to make musical instruments like violins, violas, and cellos.
It is recognizable for the striped figure that runs across the grain, which almost looks like wavy tiger stripes. Curly maple, on the other hand, has a distinct curly figure running across the grain.
The figure appears to look like waves or ripples, and it is often used to craft furniture and gun stocks. Both tiger maple and curly maple are produced from the same tree, but only certain species have the unique patterns and figures.
How do you identify tiger maple wood?
Tiger maple wood can be identified by the unique variations and markings it has, with the wood displaying stripes, flamework and quilted patterns that are different to other types of woods. To confirm that the wood is tiger maple, you should look for the telling signs such as:
– Dazzling surface figure with flame, quilt & curl
– Long, horizontal stripes
– Striking gold or dark tonal varieties
– Changes in colour intensity when exposed to light
– Variety of contrasting brown & tan spots
– Subtle curl or ‘laciness’
In addition, tiger maple is lighter and softer than other maple varieties, and has a distinctive tight grain that adds to its beauty. When looking for a tiger maple board, it can be helpful to seek out those with plainer, straight grain sections to balance out the wilder, more dramatic sections.
Comparing different pieces of tiger maple together can also help to identify the wood, making it easier to spot the unique characteristics it has.
Where does tiger maple grow?
Tiger maple, also sometimes referred to as crooked-grain maple or flame maple, is a type of wood that is primarily found in the Northeastern United States and Canada. It is typically found in areas of Eastern White Maple or Sugar Maple trees, which are most prevalent in the states of Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
While some maple trees were historically harvested and used for tiger maple, today much of it is harvested and processed from old-growth timber stands in these areas. The sapwood of tiger maple can be a creamy white color, while the heartwood is a reddish or golden brown color, and the characteristic stripes, or “tiger-like” markings, are found in the burl of the tree between the two.
What causes tiger stripe maple?
Tiger stripe maple is a unique type of hardwood figured veneer with distinctive stripes on the grain that can be a stunning accent in many projects. The phenomenon is caused by a combination of environmental factors and natural growth response in the tree.
As the tree progresses primarily in the vertical direction, the internal stresses cause the tree’s cells to grow in a narrowing fashion, producing the unique stripes of tiger maple. This is further enhanced by seasonal differences and climate, where changes in temperature and moisture can accentuate the stripes even further.
Finally, the effect of the sun can play a big part in the development of the figure, as the side of the tree that receives the most amount of sunlight will produce stripes that are more visible. Ultimately, this leads to the unique and special look of tiger stripe maple.
What kind of tree does tiger wood come from?
Tiger wood, also known as Goncalo Alves, is a type of hardwood harvested from the tropical regions of Central and South America. It is primarily harvested from the territories of Brazil and Peru, and is known for its attractive, striped grain patterns and its incredible strength and durability.
It is one of the hardest and densest woods, making it an ideal material for many pieces of furniture, decking, cabinetry and trim, as well as flooring. Tiger wood is incredibly difficult to cut and finish, and it is also very expensive due to its scarcity.
How much is curly maple worth?
The value of curly maple is largely dependent on the grade of the wood and the amount of figure present. In general, curly maple varies in price from around $2 – $10 per board foot, depending on the quality of the grain and figure.
Curly maple is especially sought after for its beautiful swirling grain patterns and lustrous finish when polished. Premium quality curly maple is often used for high-end furniture pieces, giving them an impressive and elegant appearance.
Additionally, it is one of the most commonly used tonewoods for musical instruments such as violins, electric guitars, and bass guitars. The actual value of curly maple can also be affected by its availability to the market, with more rare and unusual examples of the wood demanding higher prices.
How common is tiger maple?
Tiger maple is a fairly rare wood, with a unique grain pattern that makes it highly sought-after for furniture and other woodworking projects. There are only a few hardwood forests in North America where tiger maple is found, and even then, the wood is very limited in quantity and not always available.
Due to its rarity and limited availability, tiger maple is typically more expensive than other types of maple. However, the unique grain, color, and texture of the wood mean that it is often worth the extra cost.
Tiger maple is especially popular among furniture and cabinet makers, who prize its unique characteristics, and those looking for a unique look for an outdoor project.
Is curly maple rare?
Curly maple is considered to be a rare wood. There are various grades of curly maple, ranging from light to very curly, and the most rare and sought after curl grade is found in birds-eye maple. Curly maple has a unique pattern that appears when it’s cut and can range from subtle wavy stripes to very pronounced waves or even curls.
Curly maple is often used in the creation of exotic furniture or sometimes used to accent the outside trim or edges of a cabinet. Even with advances in woodworking technology, the most aesthetically pleasing pieces are created by hand.
As with any other wood, the cost of the wood increases with its rarity, so the more pronounced or exotic looking strategies of curly maple will be more expensive than subtleties ones.
What type of wood is curly maple?
Curly maple is a type of hardwood that is generally characterized by its beautiful swirling grain patterns. It is typically cut from the sugar and black maple trees, and is also sometimes known as fiddleback, tiger stripe, or flamed maple.
The name “curly” is derived from its unique pattern of grain curves which add an attractive depth to the wood surface. Not only is curly maple visually appealing, but it is also a popular choice for furniture and cabinetry because of its strength and durability.
Curly maple is generally lighter in color than other hardwoods, ranging from creamy-white to a light reddish-brown, and has a smooth, velvet-like texture. It does however require more care than some other hardwoods due to its susceptibility to staining and marring, and usually needs to be sealed prior to any finishing process.
What tree does curly maple come from?
Curly maple is a type of hardwood that comes from the Acer saccharum, or sugar maple, which is native to North America. The trunk of the tree has smooth bark that is gray in color, and the leaves are five-lobbed and slightly curved.
The sugar maple tree can grow as high as 120 feet and spread up to 40 feet wide. The wood’s “curl” is determined by the genetic makeup of the tree, and it can vary widely in texture, color, and contrast, ranging from broad, wavy curls to close rippling, and from creamy yellow to dark brown and black.
The wood is particularly prized for its use in furniture, musical instruments, and custom woodworking, as well as its decorative veneers.
How do you recognize curly maple tree?
Curly maple trees can be easily identified by their bark, which is generally grayish-brown and scaly. The bark of a mature tree typically has large, smooth plates that may be slightly ridged. Additionally, young trees will have more visibly rough and furrowed bark.
The leaves of a curly maple tree are also distinct, appearing as a jagged green color with a lighter underside. When the leaves are turned over, the veins have a curly, cork-screw pattern which is the source of the tree’s name.
The leaves are also typically oval and oblong in shape and have serrated edges. On the branches of the curly maple tree, there may be cone-shaped, red-brown buds that can appear as either single or paired.
Finally, the tree can reach heights of up to 50 feet and its trunk is usually straight with slight ridges.
How do I know what kind of Japanese maple I have?
Identifying the type of Japanese maple you have depends on a few factors, such as how old the tree is and its leaf shape. To make a more accurate identification, you’ll need to look at the overall shape of the tree, size and color of the leaves, and the type of flowers and fruits the tree produces.
If your tree is young, you’ll need to pay close attention to the shape of the leaves which can help determine the type of Japanese maple. Generally, the three types of leaves can be characterized as palmate, dissected or lacy.
Palmate leaves are fan-shaped and are usually palm-sized with 5 to 7 lobes with serrated edges. Dissected leaves have finer, feathery-looking lobes with slender points and often have 9 or more lobes.
Lacy leaves have a more delicate look, with the lobes interlocking in a curved pattern.
The size and color of the leaves can also help determine the type of Japanese maple. Some trees produce small leaves whilst others have larger ones, and even some that change color throughout the year.
Japanese maples typically come in shades of green, yellow, red, purple and burgundy, although some trees combine several colors.
Finally, some types of Japanese maple can be identified by looking at the type of flowers they produce. For example, the red Japanese maple produces a deep, red flower, while the weeping Japanese maple has a tuft of white flowers with red centers.
If your tree bears fruits, the shape of the clusters can also give clues as to what type of maple it is – for example, the evergreen maple tree produces clusters of yellow or orange fruit.
Overall, knowing what type of Japanese maple you have can be a challenging task, but with some observation and research, you can accurately identify which one you have.
