My neighbor just cut down some old soft maples (100 years plus) and there
are several large sections from around the base that are around 5 feet in
diamiter and at least 36 inches thick. BRBR

These can make some excellent bowls. If you can get some pieces just above
ground level, where the "legs" of the tree spread out you will probably find
flame or fiddleback figure out near the bark edge. Also, in the trunk wood if
you seal large pieces and let them season for a year or more you may find
excellent spalting patterns. I have done lots of spalted soft maple pieces and
they can be spectacular. Spalting in soft maple resembles thin black lines in
random patterns that are quite striking and beautiful. Completely seal some
pieces with anchorseal and wait. You may be very pleasantly surprised!

-Jim Gott-
San Jose, CA