Yes, birdseye maple is considered a rare wood because it is a unique and striking figure that is usually only found in soft maple species. The figure is created when the tree experiences a sudden change in its growth rate, which causes the wood cells to become bunched up in localized areas.
Birdseye maple usually has a swirling figure with lots of small circles that resemble the eyes of a bird. This figure makes it a very desirable wood for furniture makers and is often used as an accent feature in custom pieces.
Birdseye maple is generally more expensive than other types of woods due to its rarity and is less widely available than most other woods.
Where is birdseye maple found?
Birdseye maple is a type of hardwood with a unique patterning of small, circular eyes, similar to the plumage of a bird’s eye. The origin of this type of wood is often debated, but the most commonly accepted theory is that it is caused when the tree is under a certain kind of stress.
This type of wood is primarily found in the Eastern United States, Canada, and Europe, with some reports of it being found in other places such as South America and Japan. Birdseye maple is most commonly found in the hardwood species Acer saccharum, more commonly known as Sugar Maple, but is also seen in species such as American beech, Rock Maple, and Paper Birch.
It is prized for its unique beauty, and is often used in making furniture, musical instruments, and veneers.
How do you identify a birdseye maple tree?
Birdseye maple trees are easily identifiable by their unique grain pattern. The grain pattern consists of small round or oval “eyes” that can be anywhere from one inch to a few inches in size and scattered randomly throughout the wood.
Due to the birds eye pattern, it is sometimes also referred to as a “pie crust” maple. The maple trees can reach heights of up to 60 feet and have a mature diameter of 16 feet or more. They grow throughout much of the eastern United States, from Maine to Iowa and south to northern Florida.
Birdseye maple is typically a reddish-brown color with dark streaks in the grain. As Birdseye maple is a hardwood with a very tight, dense grain, the woodworking qualities are excellent. Birdseye maple is favored by furniture makers, guitar makers, and other craftsmen, as it accepts a great deal of intricate work with wood-burning, staining, and shellacking.
Is Spalted maple a hardwood?
Yes, spalted maple is a hardwood. It is a type of maple, belonging to the Aceraceae family, which includes both deciduous or hard-leaved trees, and evergreen or soft-leaved trees. As with most hardwoods, spalted maple is dense, strong, and typically has good scratch and heat-resistance.
Because of its strength and bright colors, spalted maple is frequently used in furniture making, cabinetry, and other woodworking projects. The unique pattern of “spalting” in the wood occurs when certain fungi attack the wood, breaking up the wood’s cell walls and creating a visually-appealing display.
Spalted maple is a popular choice among woodworkers, as it can often be sourced from fallen trees and yield scrap pieces of beautiful spalted wood that can be used in smaller projects.
What causes curly maple?
Curly maple is caused by physiological processes that take place within the tree. It is caused by the tendency of some trees, often maples, to have an uneven rate of growth and different levels of growth between the spring and summer months.
This usually creates alternative layers of wood cells with one having a greater flexibility and smoothness compared to the other, causing a wave-like or curly pattern throughout the wood. Factors such as soil type, moisture, availability of nutrients, and genetic traits also contribute to this phenomenon.
This is why trees from the same species in another area will not necessarily have the same “curling” characteristics. To enhance the curly maple’s patterns, the wood may be treated with ammonia fumes or heat, which causes the wood to brown, and further reveals the wood’s figure and lightens or darkens the wood’s color tone.
Is birds eye maple good for cutting boards?
Yes, birds eye maple is a great choice for a cutting board. It is extremely hard, so it is resistant to wear and can take a lot of use and abuse. The wood also has a beautiful light brown color with dark brown flecks, also known as ‘birds eyes’, which adds an extra aesthetic touch to your kitchen.
Furthermore, because of its hardness, birds eye maple makes an excellent surface for cutting and chopping food. Additionally, this type of wood is extremely nonporous, which means it won’t absorb foul odors or bacteria.
This makes it a great choice for kitchen use.
What is an eyed burl?
An eyed burl is a type of burl, or a tree growth, that has naturally occurring eye-like patterns. It is considered to be a type of defect in the wood, however, it is highly sought after for its unique, swirling grain patterns and knots.
They can be found most often in beech, maple, or hickory trees. A burl forms in the tree when abnormal growth occurs that is caused by various stresses, such as injury from an insect or fungal attack, drought, or freeze/thaw cycles.
These stresses cause the tree to form a burl as its way of protecting the injury, resembling a callus on the tree’s body.
The patterns and colors of eyed burls create a unique, one-of-a-kind wood. It can be used to craft furniture, handles, carvings, pool cues, and veneers in carpentry projects. The colors of an eyed burl range from pale yellow to deep brown, and some can have a marbled effect due to the swirls and stars.
So, if you’re looking for a unique, eye-catching piece to be the focal point of a project, an eyed burl might be the perfect choice.
What kind of wood is for picture frames?
When it comes to picture frames, there is no one type of wood that is best for use in the construction of frames. Instead, multiple types of woods can be used to great effect. That said, some of the most popular woods for picture frames include cherry, oak, maple, mahogany, birch, walnut and pine.
Cherry wood is widely used for its attractive reddish-brown color and is often paired with darker woods like walnut for contrast. Oak is a strong, dense wood usually popular for its warm yellowish hues and close graining.
Maple is a light-colored and close-grained wood with a nice natural luster. Mahogany is a reddish-brown to a nearly black-brown wood that is often used in finer frames due to its strength and natural beauty.
Birch is a light-colored, hard wood that can be stained or painted. Walnut is a dark and hard wood that looks great paired with lighter woods like maple or birch. And finally, pine is often the least expensive option and is a soft, low-priced wood that is easily cut and stained to look darker.
The type of wood used in picture frames often depends on the desired look and up-front cost. Using a more expensive wood often results in a frame with a high-end look that draws more attention to the artwork inside.
What is the material for a picture frame?
The material for a picture frame can vary depending on the desired look and budget. Common materials for picture frames are wood, metal, plastic, and cardboard. Wood frames are often used for their class and elegant look, while plastic frames are more affordable and lightweight.
Metal frames come in a variety of shapes and sizes, while cardboard frames are more inexpensive and disposable. It is also possible to create a custom frame using other materials, including bamboo, cork, and even glass.
How do you make a homemade picture frame?
Making a homemade picture frame is an easy and satisfying project that doesn’t require many tools or materials. Here are the steps for creating your own picture frame at home:
1. Gather your materials. You will need some picture frame molding (available at most hardware stores or craft stores), a saw, a miter box, carpenter’s glue, and some clamps.
2. Measure the dimensions of your picture or artwork and decide how wide you want the frame to be. This will help you figure out how much molding you will need.
3. Cut the molding to the correct length. You can use a saw or a miter box to get the angles needed for the corners.
4. Join the pieces of molding to create the frame. Use carpenter’s glue to secure them. Clamp them together until the glue dries.
5. Pre-drill and insert picture hanging hardware on the back of the frame according to the instructions.
6. Sand and paint the frame, if desired.
7. Insert the picture or artwork into the frame and your homemade picture frame is ready to be hung and enjoyed.
What is poplar wood?
Poplar wood, also known as tulip poplar, yellow poplar, or white poplar, is a softwood species that is native to many areas of North America and Eurasia. Its heartwood is creamy white to pale yellowish brown and is relatively uniform in color.
Poplar wood is popularly used for many woodworking projects due to its workability, allowing it to be easy to shape, sand, and finish. It is commonly used in furniture, cabinetry, and as trim, as well as being used as plywood or in construction.
Poplar is known to be very lightweight and is quite soft, making it easy to give it curved or irregular shapes. It is also fairly resistant to decay, warping, and cracking, making it durable enough to last a long while.
Additionally, poplar has excellent gluing and nail holding capabilities, which makes it great for even intricate projects.