Boxelder (Ash-leaved Maple)
Acer negundo • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Usually straight with a fine, even texture; the sample exhibits a prominent cathedral pattern from flat-sawing and features a small knot/eye.
Color Description
Sapwood is pale white to yellowish; most notably features vibrant raspberry-red streaks (fungal staining) that will eventually fade to a brownish-grey or tan upon long-term exposure to UV light.
Hardness Rating
720 lbf (Soft)
Durability Rating
Non-durable; very low resistance to decay and highly susceptible to insect attack if left untreated.
Common Uses
Turned objects (bowls, pens), carvings, crate/pallet lumber, and decorative wood crafts due to the unique red staining.
Geographic Origin
Native to North America, widely distributed from southern Canada to Mexico.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$6.00 - $12.00 per board foot, specifically for pieces with high-intensity 'flame' or red staining.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly cut or recently milled (less than 1 year); the red pigment is highly sensitive and would be significantly more faded if the wood was old or exposed to sun.
Sustainability Status
Not listed on CITES or IUCN Red List; considered a very common and sustainable species, often considered a weed tree.
Workability
Easy to work with both hand and machine tools; however, it is a soft wood and can be prone to fuzzy surfaces if tools are not sharp. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
The distinctive red staining is caused by a fungus (Fusarium negundi) reacting with the tree's defensive compounds; it is the softest of the Acer genus commonly used in woodworking.
Finish Recommendations
A UV-inhibiting clear coat or film-building finish like polyurethane is highly recommended to preserve the red color for as long as possible.
Identification Confidence
High; the specific 'raspberry' red streaking combined with the maple-like grain and white sapwood is a unique diagnostic characteristic of stained Boxelder.