The Norway maple is very similar in colour to the sycamore maple, but is somewhat darker and slightly pinkish when the wood is steamed. Moreover, brown heart is more common here. This maple is found in the plains of almost all of Europe.

Trade Names and Other Names

Abbreviation DIN EN 13556: ACPL
Botanical name: Acer platanoides
German: Spitzahorn, steamed Norway Maple
English: Norway Maple, steamed Maple
French: érable plane étuvé
Italian: acero riccio vaporizzato
Spanish: arce real vaporizado
Dutch: gestoomde Noorse esdoorn

Technical Wood Properties

Weight fresh/green: approx. 900–950 kg/m³
Density air-dry (12–15 % MC): approx. 630–680 kg/m³
Natural durability (EN 350): Class 5 – not durable

Occurrence

Norway Maple is native to Europe and widely found in mixed forests. It is a classic light-colored hardwood used in fine furniture and interior design. Steaming the wood enhances its color to a warm, golden brown and improves tonal uniformity.

Trunk and Bark

Up to 30 m tall, about 1 m in diameter. Bark gray-brown and finely furrowed. Heartwood and sapwood are similar; after steaming, the color becomes evenly golden-brown with a silky sheen.

Characteristics and Wood Color

Hard, fine-textured, and smooth to the touch. Steamed Norway Maple offers warmth and harmony in tone, reducing contrast and creating a refined surface. Excellent for polishing and staining, it is ideal for decorative veneers with a soft, natural elegance.

Substitute Woods

Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), Steamed Beech (Fagus sylvatica), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)

Applications

Veneers, furniture, paneling, doors, instruments, and interior design. Steamed Norway Maple combines European clarity with a mellow, golden hue – perfect for sophisticated living spaces.

References

• Wood Atlas | 7th Edition 2022 | Rudi & André Wagenführ
• GD-Holz Data Sheets – Wood Species | 2020
• Properties and Core Sizes of Wood Species | 1989 | Jürgen Sell / Lignum Switzerland