Nearly every wood worker generally describes maple (Acer) wood as hard or soft maple. I discovered upon some research that maple wood is not generally classified in this manner. According to a book titled "Identifying Wood" by R. Bruce Hoadley there were various maple trees defined, but not specifically with hard or soft maple nomenclature. Additional maple descriptions were found on the Internet. A surprise was that Boxelder and a British sycamore are in the maple family.

In terms of hardness the specific gravity of the various maple species was observed, and are shown below. As noted by the following table the hardness from highest to lowest is shown (also denoted are principal locations of the trees):

Sugar (rock) maple (Northeastern and upper Midwest) .63
Black maple (Midwest) .57
British sycamore (most common maple in Europe)* .56
Red maple (Eastern and Midwest) .54
Big leaf maple (Pacific Northwest) .48
Silver maple (Eastern and Midwest---rivers & streams) .47
Boxelder--ash leaf maple-- (nearly all of USA) .46

Others

• Norway maple (cut timber in Northern Europe & trees in Northern USA and parts of Canada)
• Chinese maple (ornamental shrubs)
• Japanese maple (ornamental shrubs)
• Full moon maple (ornamental shrubs)

Note *: Also common in New England and Pacific Northwest

All maples can have curl and bird's-eye. The red and silver are marketed as soft maples. While the black and sugar go as hard maples. Sugar maples are your maple syrup producers. Hard maples have smooth bark, and soft maples have rugged bark. Hard maples grow slower, and have tighter growth rings.

Keep your tools sharp,

Roger benedict

CALENDAR EVENTS

November 20^th---Robert Kerwin will present his unique designs of boxes having many secrets.

Our gust speaker is Robert Kerwin who will present his unique designs of boxes with drawers and perhaps having secrets. Like most of us, Robert is a Rockford native who has a passion with wood. He will speak on his construction and finishing methods. Please plan to attend for a very interesting evening on November 20th, business meeting at 7:00 pm.

The bad news from Klehm Arboretum is that they have raised their fees beyond our means. Thus, there have been significant discussions of searching for another site. Thanks for one member, John Wacker; he has recommended the Tebala Shrine Center on Newburg Road. From an inspection of the site it appears to meet our requirements. However, more input is needed from other members. It is encourage that everyone takes some time to physically review this site. At our next business meeting, on Tuesday November 20^th, this important subject will be presented and decided upon.

Beginning January 1^st the membership dues will be $20.00, and are due the end of January 2008. Treasurer John Wacker will be happy to collect your dues. Make checks out to Blackhawk Woodcarvers. The dues' increase was approved by the membership during the September business meeting.

Looking ahead to the December meeting we will have the annual Christmas party with food and beverages to share. At this same meeting is the swap night of your "odds and sods" having no use to you, but could be a high interest to someone else. Anything goes----wood, hand tools, power tools, broken tools, unfinished carvings, ruff-outs, paint, brushes, magazines & books, bag of wood chips, etc.

The Blackhawk Woodcarvers was founded in 1993 and has a goal of preserving and encouraging the art of woodcarving. Membership is open to anyone having any skill level of carving, including those who have never carved and want to learn about carving.