Quartersawn wood is very desirable because it is much more dimensionally stable compared to wood cut in a different fashion. It also presents a very beautiful and straight grain pattern that is sought by cabinetmakers and furnituremakers. However, the yield from the log is lower when it is cut this way, so it can be difficult to find and will cost more.
Maple (Acer saccharum) sapwood color ranges from nearly white, to an off-white cream color, sometimes with a reddish or golden hue. The heartwood tends to be a darker reddish brown. Fairly easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Maple has a tendency to burn when being machined with high-speed cutters such as in a router. Turns, glues, and finishes well, though blotches can occur when staining, and a pre-conditioner, gel stain, or toner may be necessary to get an even color. Common uses include flooring (from basketball courts and dance floors to bowling alleys and residential), veneer, pulpwood, musical instruments, cutting boards, butcher blocks, workbenches, baseball bats, turned objects and specialty wood items.

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