Stabilized Box Elder Burl (Dyed Purple)
Acer negundo • Hardwood (Stabilized)
Grain Pattern
Highly irregular burl figure including small swirling knots, 'eyes', and wild, interlocking grain. The structure is mostly compressed grain characteristic of burl growths.
Color Description
Natural heartwood is pale brown to grayish-white, but this sample has been vacuum-infused with purple dye and clear acrylic resin. The resin produces high luster and chatoyance, while the dye highlights the density variations in the burl.
Hardness Rating
Originally 720 lbf (Soft), but increased to 1500-2000+ lbf (Very Hard) through resin stabilization.
Durability Rating
Highly durable as a finished product due to plasticization. The base wood is naturally non-durable and prone to decay, but the acrylic resin makes it waterproof and rot-resistant.
Common Uses
Knife handles, pen turning, jewelry, high-end bottle stoppers, and small decorative turned objects.
Geographic Origin
Native to North America (found throughout the United States and Canada).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 to $35.00 per individual small turning blank (approx. 1x1x6 inches).
Wood Age Estimate
Modern processing; the stabilization and dyeing indicate a contemporary wood blank produced within the last 1-5 years.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; considered widely available and stable.
Workability
Difficult due to the combination of soft wood fibers and hard resin. Can be brittle; sharp carbide tools are recommended to prevent chipping. Sands to a high polish without needing much finish.
Notable Features
Highly porous nature allows for complete resin saturation; known for taking dyes exceptionally well. This specific piece is a 'hybrid' blank or full-stabilized burl.
Finish Recommendations
Requires no traditional finish other than high-grit sanding (up to 3000+) and buffing with a plastic polishing compound. CA glue can be used for a high-gloss top coat.
Identification Confidence
High; the swirling burl 'eyes' combined with the characteristic purple vacuum-dyeing pattern and the visible resin texture are definitive of stabilized maple species, most likely Box Elder.