Birdseye Maple Is a Figure—not a Maple Species

Birdseye Maple is usually Sugar Maple with a rare growth anomaly that produces numerous tiny knot-like “eyes.” It is not a separate species, and the markings are natural grain features rather than holes or marks made by birds.

Surprising takeaway: The eyes are usually most prominent on flatsawn surfaces. Blank orientation can therefore determine whether a turning displays a dense field of eyes or relatively subdued Maple grain.