Allen Ambrosia Maple
The beetle made its mark, I gave it purpose.
The Story
This wood came to me through neighbors — friends of mine who happened upon Mr. Allen while walking the neighborhood. While visiting, he shared with them that he had Parkinson’s, which doesn’t pair well with power tools, and so he had to give up woodworking. Like me, Mr. Allen had spent years reclaiming wood the hard way: salvaging curbside piles, milling downed trees after storms, and collecting material that others overlooked.
He told my friends he had been trying to sell his stock for a while, but with no takers, he was preparing to have the city haul it away. That meant the chipper, shredder, and eventually mulch — or, failing that, he said he would have to burn it himself.
My friend told him, “I know a guy,” and gave me a call. I went around the corner to meet Mr. Allen and ended up buying his entire inventory. He was delighted to see it all going to a local woodworker rather than being lost. I walked away not only with a shop full of rescued lumber but also with the privilege of carrying forward the legacy of a kind man who had collected wood much the same way I do.
About the Tree
Ambrosia Maple isn’t a separate species — it’s typically red maple (Acer rubrum) that’s been visited by the tiny ambrosia beetle. The tree itself grows tall and straight across much of North America, prized for its shade and its brilliant fall color. When beetles enter a living or recently felled maple, they bring along a symbiotic fungus; the tree walls off those tiny galleries, and that natural response creates the smoky streaks and soft tonal washes people love in ambrosia boards.
In other words, the beauty begins in the tree’s own biology: a resilient maple meeting a small intruder, and answering with character. The result is wood marked with subtle clouds, occasional pinholes, and graceful lines — evidence of a living tree’s story before it ever reaches the shop.
About the Wood
What makes Ambrosia Maple unique is not the species itself but the markings left behind by the ambrosia beetle. The wood carries smoky streaks, subtle clouding, and the occasional tiny pinhole — all evidence of the tree’s natural defense against its visitor. No two boards are ever alike; some show only a hint of color, while others are filled with soft washes and dramatic lines.
Despite its unusual figure, Ambrosia Maple works much like other soft maples. It machines and sands cleanly, takes finish well, and balances durability with a touch of warmth. In the shop it feels familiar, yet the patterns always keep you guessing — each cut reveals something new.
Why It Matters
Every board of Allen Ambrosia Maple carries more than the marks of a beetle — it carries the story of stewardship. Mr. Allen saved this wood for years, even as Parkinson’s kept him from the shop, trusting that someone else might one day give it new life. To me, working with it is a way of honoring that trust.
Ambrosia Maple itself is a reminder that beauty often comes through struggle: a tree facing an intruder, responding with strength, and leaving behind color and character no sawmill could ever invent. Pair that with the care of a craftsman who preserved it, and you hold a piece of wood that is far more than material — it’s a record of resilience, generosity, and transformation.
Made from Allen Ambrosia Maple
Hand-turned bowl in Allen Ambrosia Maple — this one has sold, but its story lives on in the wood’s character.
Whiskey bottle topper handcrafted from Allen Ambrosia Maple, carrying both figure and provenance — available now.
Rolling pin in Allen Ambrosia Maple, where the beetle’s markings bring natural beauty to everyday use — this piece has found its home.
The pieces you see above are part of the story of Allen Ambrosia Maple. A few — like the bowl and rolling pin — have already found their homes, but the whiskey topper is still available.
If you’d like to make it yours, click below — or reach out to me directly if you have questions or an idea for something custom.