Canadian hardwood species

Maple, walnut, and cherry — each with distinct properties. Here's how to choose.

Jump to: Maple Walnut Cherry Comparison Which should I pick?
🍁
Maple
Light, dense, tight grain.
The workhorse.
Learn more
🌰
Walnut
Dark, rich, premium look.
The showpiece.
Learn more
🍒
Cherry
Warm reddish tones.
The statement piece.
Learn more
Hard maple grain
Hard Maple
Acer saccharum
Colour Pale cream to light amber
Janka hardness 1,450 lbf
Grain Tight, straight, fine
Texture Smooth, uniform
Origin Ontario, Quebec, Maritimes
Retail price from $5.99 / unit

Species 01 — Maple

The all-purpose standard

Hard maple is the most popular species in our catalogue — and for good reason. Its light, consistent colour provides excellent contrast for laser engraving. Its tight grain holds up to resin pours without excessive absorption. And its hardness means it lasts through years of kitchen use.

If you're setting up a laser engraving operation and need predictable, repeatable results at a competitive price, start with maple. It's our highest-volume species for good reason.

Best for

Laser engraving Resin art Foodservice Gift retail Bulk orders

What makers say

"Maple engraves beautifully — light char, clean contrast, no blow-out. We've laser-cut tens of thousands of maple blanks from woodenspoons.ca without a bad batch."

— Laser engraver, Toronto ON
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Black walnut grain
Black Walnut
Juglans nigra
Colour Rich chocolate brown
Janka hardness 1,010 lbf
Grain Straight to wavy, open
Texture Medium, slightly coarse
Origin Ontario, Southern Quebec
Retail price from $8.49 / unit

Species 02 — Walnut

The premium showpiece

Black walnut is the most visually striking species in our range. The deep chocolate-brown tone commands attention on any shelf or table. Visible grain variation — from straight to wavy — means every piece looks slightly unique, adding to its handcrafted appeal.

Walnut's open grain makes it particularly receptive to resin pours — pigment flows into the wood's natural texture for results that look intentional and artistic. It also engraves well, producing a lighter contrast against the dark base.

Best for

Resin art Premium gift retail Corporate gifting Engraving (light contrast) Boutique retail

What makers say

"The walnut spoons sell for nearly double what the maple ones do in our shop. Same product, different material — customers perceive them as more premium and they're right."

— Gift shop owner, Victoria BC
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Black cherry grain
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Colour Light pink to warm reddish-brown
Janka hardness 950 lbf
Grain Fine, straight, satiny
Texture Smooth, lustrous
Origin Ontario, Quebec, Maritimes
Retail price from $7.49 / unit

Species 03 — Cherry

The warm statement piece

Cherry is often described as the most beautiful of our three species. Its warm, reddish-brown tones photograph exceptionally well and develop a deeper patina over time with light and use. No two pieces look exactly alike.

Cherry's fine, satiny texture makes it a pleasure to work with — it sands smooth easily, engraves with fine detail, and bonds cleanly with resin. It occupies a middle ground in hardness and price between maple and walnut.

Best for

Fine laser engraving Mid-range gift retail Photography / content Resin art Upscale foodservice

What makers say

"Cherry photographs beautifully. Our product shots on cherry spoons consistently outperform maple on social media. The warm tones just pop."

— Resin artist, Montreal QC
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Side by side

Species comparison

Property 🍁 Maple 🌰 Walnut 🍒 Cherry
Colour Pale cream Chocolate brown Warm reddish-brown
Hardness Very hard Moderately hard Moderately hard
Grain Tight, fine Open, wavy Fine, satiny
Laser engraving Excellent Good Excellent
Resin art Good Excellent Good
Food safety
Price point $ $$$ $$
Wholesale min from $5.99 / unit $7.79 / unit $6.89 / unit

Decision guide

Which wood should you choose?

Laser engraving

You want maximum contrast and consistent blanks. Go with maple. The pale base gives your burnt designs maximum pop. Cherry works well for finer detail work.

🍁 Maple (best) 🍒 Cherry (great)
Resin & epoxy art

You want the grain to interact with your pour. Choose walnut — the open grain creates natural channels for resin. The dark wood makes coloured resin pop dramatically.

🌰 Walnut (best) 🍒 Cherry (great)
Gift & retail

You need retail-ready product with strong perceived value. Walnut commands the highest price point. Cherry photographs beautifully. Maple maximises margin.

🌰 Walnut (premium) 🍒 Cherry (photogenic) 🍁 Maple (value)

Still not sure? Order a sample pack before committing to a bulk run.

Shop all species Ask us for advice
Caring for hardwood spoons

Care & maintenance

How to keep hardwood looking its best

1
Hand wash only

Never put hardwood in the dishwasher. Wash with mild soap and warm water. Dry immediately with a towel.

2
Oil regularly

Apply food-grade mineral oil or beeswax every few months. This prevents cracking and keeps the wood hydrated.

3
Avoid soaking

Don't soak hardwood spoons in water. Prolonged moisture exposure causes warping and cracking in any species.

Read our care guide