What species of Maple wood?

[cripplecreek]

I've never smoked with maple wood but would like to try it.  Being in Louisiana I have access to a lot of red maple.  I'm guessing that most people using maple wood are using sugar maple or maybe silver maple.  Is there going to be a difference in the smoke and is one species preferrable to another?  I know there are many species of hickory in the south and when I cut hickory I pay no attention to species they all seem to smoke the same to me.  What about maples.  Just wondering before I mess up a piece of meat with red maple that I shouldn't have used.

Thanks,  Mike

 

[cliffcarter]

Generally speaking any maple used in syrup production can be use to smoke with. They are Sugar Maple(aka Hard or Rock Maple), Black Maple, Silver Maple and Red Maple. Here's a link with some info on Red Maple-

http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/a/acerub/acerub1.html

 

[fourashleys]

I mix silver maple alot with other woods. Love the sweetness it brings to the meat.