I have several maple logs that I would like to use to use for single action grips and lever action stocks.  My childhood tree I played under was felled in a windstorm a few years ago so I kept some of the wood for future projects.  Not all of the logs are from the main trunk, some are from the larger branches.  If the branch wood is of sufficient diameter, is it okay to use for buttstocks or even a full length stock?

Wood for stocks is carefully selected for the grain. Cheaper production ones generally just want a nice straight piece without knots or deformities, grain running the length of the stock

Fancier stocks are hand selected to get figure and change of grain into the stock, while maintaining strength and not setting up potential fracture lines at the stress points.

Shouldn't be terribly hard for a lever action to get a nice piece. Bolt actions are more complex.

There are books written on the subject.

Your best bet is probably to get the tree sawn into planks as large as you can get them, let it season or have it kiln dried if that's an option for you, then spend some time researching how to select a blank out of your board.

Obviously, this is for a riflestock, a pistol grip would be much less complicated.

Howdy Y'all
Your looking at a basic problem that goes back a long way to those lil Italian wood workers putting a pretty handle on the Armorer/Blacksmith's firestick. When working with large wood products you really can not look for a fast fix. Unless you have a kiln or know someone who does or even have one in the area that would allow you to put your blanks in for drying, then your looking at drying and "seasons" waiting for the right moisture level to keep from the having large stress cracks. If your looking for pistol/revolver grips/scales less time is needed. Talk to your local woodworkers, cabinet makers, or a company that makes large laminated wood products. The possibilities are endless. A good start is small projects then work your way up as you gain, learn or experiment with your Old friend Mr. Maple. The first task is making usable blanks use your heart wood for larger pieces the rest is for smaller projects. Depending on size and length straightness of wood and grain this will allow for how many blanks you can get. If your sections came from areas free of limbs you may have less problems. Larger limb sections you may have some good sections. The rest you can use for smaller items knife scales, revolver grips or, pistol scales. so good luck and hope the wood beetles were kind.
Yours in service
James Acerra

The best rifle stocks come from stump wood.
The grain flows around the butt stock correctly as the trunk flows into the larger roots.

For lighter recoiling calibers you can get some relief with straighter grain.
For really light calibers (like .22 RF) you can use straight grain and tolerate the cross grain in the wrist area.

Thank you gents.

Larger callibers... Yes. Ideal is to have straight grain through the wrist and wild figure every where else. The crazier the figure the more expensive it is. Super high dollar stock blanks are cut 90 degrees To the center of the tree and near a branch or base.... Depending on type of tree and figure desired ? So.. Unless the tree is quite large you are only getting 4 stock blanks for every 40 inches of length. Think of the analogy of someone looking at a raw diamond to cut. Someone with experience has to look at the tree and where the branches come out and decide exactly where they want the blank to start and end.
You never know what you have until you semi shape it. You may find checks or cracks which will detract from the value. Lots of waste on a high end stock blank.

Edit: sorry. Somehow I skipped over the Maple part...
Maple can be a PITA to work with. Just use your Google Fu and you will find good tips. If the lever gun is a larger Calliber than 30-30 recoil wise. You should make sure to have a relief cut around the back of the tang (should have anyway) and maybe sleeve the the location of the stock bolt if convenient to do so.

Find Calico stocks on the web, buy the blank and start whittling. They have some of the best blanks in USA.