The birdseye figured grain in sugar maple (Acer saccharum): literature review, nomenclature, and structural characteristics

Little is known about the "birdseye" figured grain of sugar maple (Acer sac charum Marsh.). This paper clarifies and expands the discussion of birdseye sugar maple by describing the similarities and differences with figured gr ains in other species, as well as discussing important features of its pecu liar anatomy. Sections are also provided that discuss the proposed causes o f the birdseye grain, detail birdseye sugar maple's geographic distribution , and address what is known about genetics and birdseye maple. Possible var iations on the birdseye theme (e.g., roundeye, fingernail, cat's paw, disto rted) are documented, and a new set of descriptive terminology is establish ed. Finally, further observations and speculations on the birdseye phenomen a are provided, and research directions are suggested.