February 5th, 2010

Wormy Maple is All the Rage!

February 5th, 2010

With numerous native and exotic woods available today, who would have thought something called wormy maple would be in such high demand for furniture and home decor accessories.  This very unique hardwood is also known as Ambrosia Maple and is distinguished by the wide range of wood grain patterns and colour variations available.  This bold and vibrant wood can be used for a variety of applications including all types of home and office furniture – or whenever a dramatic statement in home decor is the goal.

But where does the name wormy maple come from?  The intricate patterns in this distinctively rustic wood is actually caused by the Ambrosia beetle – and not a worm at all.  As the beetle bores its way through the living wood, it carries a fungus on its legs that is deposited on the tree fibre.  The constant flow of sap in the tree causes the fungus to spread throughout the network of tunnels carved out by the beetle.  This fungus causes wood discoloration in numerous shades of brown, but can also result in shades of red, orange, green, pink and even light purple.  This maple variety containing these unique patterns and colours can be used to create one-of-a-kind works of art.  And the great thing is, these patterns do not affect the structural integrity of the wood.  So for this reason, Ambrosia Maple has become one of the most sought after materials in the custom furniture design and home decor industry today.

Mennonite Furniture Plus is proud to offer Ambrosia Maple for discerning clients looking to add a little something special to their home or office environment.  We are able to design and build any piece of furniture you desire using this interesting and one-of-a-kind material.  Contact us today to discuss the various options available to you for your next custom furniture purchase, including our beautiful and unique Ambrosia Maple products.