Field Maple?

[Justin Time]

Out and about last night I found a branch which had fallen from a Field Maple ( Acer Campestre)
There are a few about in my neck of the woods but I've never taken any wood from them. This branch had a length which was the right size for a spoon, or maybe a hearth for friction fire lighting... but not both. So I've got a choice:

a) Carve it now, cos it's got a lovely fine grain

or b) rough out a hearth and leave it to dry for a couple of months.

Anyone with any experience? I've not found references to it's use in fire by friction and don't want to lose the carving opportunity if it'll be rubbish for a hearth.

[Buckshot]

Sycamore is a type of maple , that works for bow drill so I suppose field maple would....?

If it's a nice grain though it might be nice to make something of it?

So basically, not much help really - sorry

Cheers

mark

[Ranger Bob]

I'm with Buckshot. I really like carving maple, it would seem a shame to me, to "waste" it for a hearth. I say carve it now!.

[Moonraker]

The wood is used a lot for making violins if you fancy something to whittle over a weekend :D Carving definitely.

[Justin Time]

cheers guys.

I went back and salvaged some of the rest of the branch... looks like I'll be carving tea-spoons :) So I'll keep the hearth sized bit and let it season. Hopefully I'll come back in a few months with a result.

[toxopholist]

Hi, Carve away. Maple should carve well. If the branch is green and you've brought it indoors you should consider splitting it quickly before it dries and shakes set in the ends. Split it down the centre of growth trying to make use of any natural curve for your spoon. Once spilt, or even quartered, the wood is unlikely to split again as the stresses caused by drying are greatly reduced.
The picture attached is a greenwood birch spoon from this weekend.
Regards.

[toxopholist]

Hi, I've looked up Field Maple in Mike Abbott's book "Green Woodworking". He states that this wood is similar to sycamore, but more dense and is ideal for bowls and spoons.