Stabilized Box Elder Burl
Acer negundo • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Highly irregular burl figure with swirled grain, bird's eye-like pips, and localized curly figure. The structure is diffuse-porous with fine texture.
Color Description
Natural heartwood is pale yellowish-brown with streaks of red (Box Elder pink). This specific sample shows artificial stabilization dyes in grey and pink, with natural dark burl clusters.
Hardness Rating
720 lbf (Soft); increased to Medium/Hard after resin stabilization
Durability Rating
Non-durable; very susceptible to decay in natural state, but highly durable once vacuum-stabilized with resin.
Common Uses
Knife handles, pen blanks, woodturning, high-end furniture inlays, and decorative jewelry.
Geographic Origin
North America (widely distributed across the United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $35.00 per small turning blank depending on burl density and stabilization quality.
Wood Age Estimate
Contemporary cut; the stabilization process and modern tooling marks suggest recent processing within the last 5-10 years.
Sustainability Status
Least Concern (IUCN); widely available and not listed on CITES appendices.
Workability
Natural wood is prone to fuzzy surfaces; stabilized wood (like this sample) turns and sands exceptionally well, behaving similarly to a dense plastic or acrylic.
Notable Features
Often contains a natural pinkish-red fungal stain (Fusarium reticulatum); as a burl, it features high chatoyance and complex knot structures.
Finish Recommendations
High-grit sanding followed by buffing with CA glue or a high-gloss lacquer/polyurethane to highlight the dyed figure.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of typical Box Elder burl figure and the characteristic 'stabilized' look with multi-colored dyes is distinctive for this species in the craft industry.