High furfural yields were achieved from converting xylose to furfural using a sustainable solvent system of γ-valerolactone and water at high temperatures. The optimal temperature range for this conversion was found to be between 480 to 500 K. At these temperatures, a furfural yield of 93% was obtained from maple wood, with minimal furfural loss due to bimolecular condensation of xylose and furfural. The study showed that the furfural yield was independent of the initial xylose concentration and remained high even at industrially relevant concentrations.