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Distribution: Center of distribution in the north-middle part of the Brazilian Amazon region; combined range of all species from Mexico through Central America and southward to southern Brazil.

The Tree: Trees grow to heights of 170 ft with diameters to 4 ft, but usually 1.5 to 3 ft; boles are straight, cylindrical, and clear 60 to 90 ft above buttresses up to 12 ft. high.

Working Characteristics: Purpleheart is exported around the world as fine veneer and lumber. It is used for inlay, parquet and traditional flooring, overlay, architectural uses and fine furniture as well as for turnery and specialty items such as art objects, jewelry, picture frames and silverware handles. In the countries where it grows, the hard and heavy wood is also used for more utilitarian purposes due to its innate strength and unique properties.

Common Name: Soft Maple

Botanical Classification: Acer saccharinum, rubrum

Characteristics: Soft Maple is a domestic hardwood. This wood resembles Hard Maple. It is close grained but it is much softer in texture. The sapwood color is creamy white and the heartwood is light reddish-brown.

Common Uses: This lumber is used for flooring - furniture - interior joinery - turnery - decorative veneers - musical instruments and as an alternative to Hard Maple.

Working Properties: Soft Maple works readily with hand and power tools and can be glued satisfactorily. It has a moderate blunting effect on cutters. This wood may be stained and polished to an excellent finish.

Tree is Native To: Soft Maple grows throughout most states east of the Rocky Mountains. The largest quantity is found in the New England states and the states along the Great Lakes region. The two trees that produce the most Soft Maple are the Red Maple and the Silver Maple. Red Maple is the sate tree of Rhode Island. Soft Maple also grows in Southern Canada.