Shopping Cart

Call us: +1 (207) 364 1520

Free shipping to the lower 48 states on orders > $100  *T&Cs apply

Maple – Birdseye

Acer saccharum
Also known as |
Birdseye Maple
Maple - Birdseye Lumber @ Rare Woods USA

Birdseye Maple is another title which does not, necessarily, denote a specific Acer species — although the bulk of what is sold is Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) — but rather a unique figuring that occurs in maple as a result of numerous small- to medium-sized knots accumulating in the wood. It remains one of the most coveted and sought-after of all figured maple varieties.

Although it has never been scientifically proven, the prevailing school of thought is that the figuring is reportedly caused by unfavorable growing conditions. As the tree attempts to access more sunlight, buds begin to sprout in its trunk — to try and grow more branches, to access more light — but the tree lacks the requisite nutrients to support the growth and the new shoots are aborted, resulting in “birdseyes” (small knots) embedded in the tree’s wood.

There can be very large variances in birdseye size and content. Boards with larger concentrations of birdseyes are, obviously, more sought after and thus command greater prices than more sparsely decorated pieces. When sanded and finish-sanded, boards featuring somewhat larger birdseyes can have an almost 3D look — like brown bumps, sitting up on a light golden surface.

There have been tearout issues associated with birdseyes, as sometimes these tiny knots can wind up leaving tiny voids. There are also justified concerns that the tiny voids may occur sometime after the wood has been put into service. Because of this, some electric guitar luthiers shy away from using Birdseye Maple for fretboard wood, as slotting the frets can prove adventurous (if not downright painful:-)). Others, who do use it, will apply a finish coat of some type of protective lacquer over the fretboard when completing the neck.

Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List.

Why We Love This Wood

Gorgeous grain patterns found in a Maine species? What's not to love?

Client Creations
    Quick Look
    Maple - Birdseye Lumber @ Rare Woods USA
    https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/box-jgeorge0.jpeg,https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/box-jgeorge1.jpeg,Jonathan George https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/guitar-ron1-zoom.jpeg,https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/guitar-ron2.jpg,https://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/guitar-ron1.jpg,Ron http://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TomGuelcher-chest.jpg,Tom Guelcher http://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/box-merlekruger1-rotated.jpeg,http://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/box-merlekruger-2-rotated.jpeg,Merle Kruger http://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OliveAshTable4-e1583220836911.jpeg,http://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OliveAshTable1-e1583220888142.jpeg,http://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OliveAshTable2-e1583220873838.jpeg,http://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/OliveAshTable3-e1583220854198.jpeg,Jay Coughlin http://www.rarewoodsusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IntarsiaCompass-Jo.jpg,Jo Labre
    A Popular Choice in
    Vital Statistics
    Main Color GroupYellow / White
    Grain Pattern Figured
    Avg Dry Weight - LB/BF3.7
    Avg Dry Weight - KG/M3705
    Janka Hardness - LBF1450
    Janka Hardness - N6450
    PRE-CUT SIZES (Maple – Birdseye)
    1 results

    Type

    Dimensions

    Grade

    Price

    Fingerboard

    21
    3
    0.3
    A

    $25.00

    yes

    LUMBER PACKS (Maple – Birdseye)
    SHOP ALL (Maple – Birdseye)

    Browse SIMILAR lumber products by size, thickness, type or price

    Search With Filters
    Price
    Length
    Width
    Thickness
    Search
    Spoil your favorite “Wood Nutter” with a gift card from Rare Woods SA
    MAPBEH1801_1
    MAPBEH1801
    1"
    x 5.38" x
    48.75"
    | Grade: A
    knots, minor planing imperfection in center.

    $41.27

    MAPBEH1799_1
    MAPBEH1799
    1"
    x 4.25" x
    31.13"
    | Grade: A
    some grey discoloration, checking on end.

    $18.22

    MAPBEH1798_1
    MAPBEH1798
    1"
    x 4.25" x
    30.13"
    | Grade: AB
    some grey discoloration, checking on end.

    $15.58

    MAPBEH1797_1
    MAPBEH1797
    1"
    x 3.13" x
    49.25"
    | Grade: A
    small section of spalting, some grey discoloration,edge defects.

    $24.53

    MAPBEH1793_1
    MAPBEH1793
    1"
    x 5" x
    32.50"
    | Grade: AB
    check on end, small planing imperfections, bark inclusion, edge defect.

    $19.23

    MAPBEH1792_1
    MAPBEH1792
    1.5"
    x 5.31" x
    48.31"
    | Grade: AB
    Small cracks. Defects on edges.

    $70.16

    MAPBEH1781_1
    MAPBEH1781
    1.5"
    x 6.19" x
    40.31"
    | Grade: AB
    Bark inclusion. Skip planed edges.

    $62.50

    MAPBEH1779_1
    MAPBEH1779
    1.5"
    x 5.5" x
    40.56"
    | Grade: AB
    Defects on edges.

    $56.48

    MAPBEH1778_1
    MAPBEH1778
    1.5"
    x 5.38" x
    40.5"
    | Grade: AB
    Skip planed. Bark inclusion. Some planer burn.

    $56.12

    MAPBEH1774_1
    MAPBEH1774
    0.94"
    x 4.5" x
    48.94"
    | Grade: AB
    Knots.

    $28.96

    MAPBEH1771_1
    MAPBEH1771
    0.94"
    x 8.25" x
    48.94"
    | Grade: AB
    Bark inclusions. Skip planed.

    $47.86

    MAPBEH1766_1
    MAPBEH1766
    0.94"
    x 5.5" x
    49"
    | Grade: AB
    Knots.

    $33.47

    MAPBEH1762_1
    MAPBEH1762
    0.94"
    x 7.5" x
    48.5"
    | Grade: AB
    Skip planed. Bark inclusion.

    $43.11

    MAPBEH1761_1
    MAPBEH1761
    0.94"
    x 3.88" x
    43.06"
    | Grade: AB
    Bark inclusions.

    $17.82

    MAPBEH1760_1
    MAPBEH1760
    0.94"
    x 3.88" x
    43.25"
    | Grade: AB
    Knots. Skip planed.

    $17.90

    maple-birdseye
    ALSO AVAILABLE (Maple – Birdseye)

    Description

    Grade

    UOM

    Price

    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-4/4Lumber-heavyfigure
    4/4 Lumber – heavy figure
    1 Common & better
    bf
    15
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-6/4Lumber-heavyfigure

    6/4 Lumber – heavy figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    27
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-8/4Lumber-heavyfigure

    8/4 Lumber – heavy figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    29
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-4/4Lumber-unsortedfigure

    4/4 Lumber – unsorted figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    8
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-6/4Lumber-unsortedfigure

    6/4 Lumber – unsorted figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    16
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-1Common&better-8/4Lumber-unsortedfigure

    8/4 Lumber – unsorted figure

    1 Common & better
    bf
    18
    bf
    no
    Maple-Birdseye-Ungraded-Peelercores-84″long

    Peeler cores – 84″ long

    Ungraded
    ea
    250
    ea
    no

    23
      23
      Your Cart
      MAPBEH1779_1
      Maple - Birdseye
      MAPBEH1779
      1 X $56.48 = $56.48
      CEDJ1414_1
      Cedar - Japanese
      CEDJ1414
      1 X $31.34 = $31.34
      ALDER1082_1
      Alder
      ALDER1082
      1 X $19.60 = $19.60
      HICK1205_1
      Hickory
      HICK1205
      1 X $27.03 = $27.03
      LEOPARD1262_1
      Leopardwood
      LEOPARD1262
      1 X $65.94 = $65.94
      CEDARARO1218_1
      Cedar - Aromatic
      CEDARARO1218
      1 X $29.88 = $29.88
      BWAC1364_1
      Blackwood - Acacia
      BWAC1364
      1 X $20.84 = $20.84
      BEECHAM1103_1
      Beech - American
      BEECHAM1103
      1 X $25.45 = $25.45
      Pink Ivory
      Pink Ivory
      IVRED1021
      1 X $182.21 = $182.21
      EBONYGAB1397_1
      Ebony - Gabon
      EBONYGAB1397
      1 X $427.00 = $427.00
      OAKWH1122_1
      Oak - White
      OAKWH1122
      1 X $19.98 = $19.98
      BEECHES1143_1
      Beech - European
      BEECHES1143
      1 X $36.75 = $36.75
      MAPH1168_1
      Maple - Hard
      MAPH1168
      1 X $25.49 = $25.49
      BEECHES1153_1
      Beech - European
      BEECHES1153
      1 X $47.21 = $47.21
      KING1164_1
      Kingwood
      KING1164
      1 X $41.16 = $41.16
      CUM1036_1
      Cumaru
      CUM1036
      1 X $85.80 = $85.80

      Species Pricing Enquiry

      Species Pricing Enquiry