Maple Ambrosia Wood

Describes a fungal discoloration caused by wood boring ambrosia beetles.

Maple ambrosia wood. Ambrosia maple wood slabs ambrosia maple is typically found in soft maple. Ambrosia maple is considered a decorative feature which gives the wood additional character. When the beetle bores into the wood it leaves a fungus which creates the streaks. The majority of ambrosia maple is found in species of soft maple.

The wood is just regular maple thats been visited by certain beetles who left holes that allowed a fungus to discolor the wood. See image 1 the figure pattern can be mild or dense depending on the degree of infestation. The beautiful greyish brown streaks in the wood are caused by the ambrosia beetle. The ambrosia figure has a tapered oblong shape running with the grain and usually a grayish color.

Ambrosia maple also is called ghost maple because the stains look like ghosts suspended in the board and the larvae tunnels appear to be eyes. Primarily temperate regions in the northern hemisphere average dried weight. The beetles bore into the tree and with it bring fungus that discolors the wood. Ambrosia maple is technically not a specific species of maple but rather a general description of any type of maple that has been infested by ambrosia beetles.

302 to 380 lbsft 3 485 to 610 kgm 3 depending on species. Ambrosia maple wormy maple botanical designation.