Box Elder Knife Scale Hybrid Stabilized

1 x 1.75 x 6

Box Elder Burl is one of the most distinctive and sought-after figured woods for woodturning, pen making, knife handles, and specialty woodworking. Known for its swirling grain, eyes, curls, voids, and occasional dramatic red coloration, Box Elder Burl can produce truly one-of-a-kind finished pieces.

The burl develops as an abnormal growth on the tree, creating highly figured grain that is completely different from the relatively straight grain found in the normal wood of the tree. Every Box Elder Burl blank is unique, with its own combination of color, figure, eyes, bark inclusions, and natural character.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Acer negundo

Family: Sapindaceae

Genus: Acer

Species: Acer negundo

Box Elder is a member of the Maple family, despite its common name.

Common & Trade Names

Box Elder, Boxelder, Box Elder Maple, Ash-Leaved Maple, Manitoba Maple, California Box Elder, Box Elder Burl, Boxelder Burl, and Box Elder Maple Burl.

Origin & Distribution

Box Elder is native to much of North America and is commonly found near streams, rivers, floodplains, and other moist environments. It has a broad natural range extending across much of the United States and into Canada and Mexico.

Box Elder Burls develop sporadically and are much less common than normal Box Elder wood, making large or highly figured burl material particularly desirable to woodworkers.

Color & Appearance

Box Elder Burl is best known for its dramatic and unpredictable appearance.

The base wood typically ranges from:

Creamy white

Ivory

Pale tan

Light brown

The burl figure may display:

Swirling grain

Eyes

Curls

Waves

Knots

Burl clusters

Dark streaks

Bark inclusions

Natural voids

Some Box Elder Burls also contain the highly desirable red, pink, orange, or reddish-brown coloration commonly referred to by woodworkers as "red Box Elder."

The intensity and distribution of the red coloration can vary dramatically from one burl to another.

Grain & Texture

Burl grain is exceptionally irregular and can twist, curl, swirl, and change direction repeatedly. This creates the three-dimensional figure that makes Box Elder Burl so popular.

The texture is generally fine to medium, but the irregular burl grain can make individual pieces behave differently during cutting and turning.

Natural voids, bark inclusions, and other irregularities are common and are considered part of the character of burl wood.

Wood Characteristics

Box Elder is a relatively lightweight hardwood. Because burl material contains highly irregular grain and growth patterns, individual blanks can vary somewhat from normal Box Elder wood.

Typical Box Elder characteristics include:

Density: Approximately 30–35 lbs/ft³

Specific Gravity: Approximately 0.40–0.45

Janka Hardness: Approximately 720 lbf

Burl material may differ from these general values depending on the individual growth and amount of figured wood present.

Stability & Durability

Box Elder is not considered a highly decay-resistant wood and is relatively lightweight compared with many hardwoods. Proper drying and storage are especially important with burl material.

Burls can contain stresses, voids, bark inclusions, and irregular grain that may contribute to movement or cracking during drying. Properly stabilized burl is often preferred for smaller high-use projects such as pens and knife handles.

Workability & Woodturning

Box Elder Burl is highly popular among woodturners because its irregular grain can produce spectacular visual results.

Sharp tools and controlled cutting techniques are recommended because burl grain changes direction frequently. Smaller voids and bark inclusions can be stabilized or filled with epoxy or other appropriate materials when desired.

Box Elder Burl is particularly well suited for:

Pen blanks

Knife handles

Knife scales

Bottle stoppers

Game calls

Duck calls

Small bowls

Vessels

Jewelry

Decorative turning

Custom art pieces

Hybrid blanks

Finishing

Box Elder Burl can take a beautiful polish and responds well to clear finishes, oils, waxes, and cyanoacrylate finishes.

A clear finish is often preferred because it allows the natural burl figure and red coloration to remain the focus of the finished project.

Stabilization can also be an excellent option for porous or highly figured burl, improving dimensional stability and making the material easier to work with for small precision projects.

Ideal Uses

Box Elder Burl blanks are excellent for:

Pen blanks

Stabilized pen blanks

Knife handles

Knife scales

Bottle stoppers

Game calls

Duck calls

Turkey calls

Small bowls

Vessels

Jewelry

Decorative turning

Hybrid blanks

Epoxy projects

Custom woodworking

Collectible and artistic pieces

Health & Safety

Box Elder wood dust may cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. Use appropriate dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection when cutting, sanding, or turning Box Elder Burl.

Because burl can contain bark, voids, and irregular grain, always inspect blanks before machining and use appropriate turning speeds and safety equipment.

CITES & Conservation

Box Elder (Acer negundo) is not generally considered a CITES-regulated timber species. Regulations concerning the movement of wood can vary by jurisdiction, so international buyers should verify applicable requirements for their destination.

Interesting Facts

Box Elder is actually a maple, belonging to the genus Acer. Its unusual appearance and compound leaves can make it look very different from the classic maple trees most people picture.

The burl itself is not a separate species. It is an abnormal growth containing highly irregular wood grain, which is responsible for the incredible figure found in Box Elder Burl.

The famous red coloration found in some Box Elder Burl is one of the characteristics that has made this wood especially popular among woodturners and pen makers.

Why Choose Box Elder Burl?

Box Elder Burl offers something that ordinary lumber simply cannot replicate: every blank is completely unique. The combination of burl eyes, swirling grain, natural voids, bark inclusions, and occasional dramatic red coloration can produce spectacular finished projects.

For pen makers, woodturners, knife makers, call makers, and artists, Box Elder Burl provides a natural canvas filled with character and figure.

Oakbrook Wood Turning Supply offers Box Elder Burl for craftsmen looking for highly figured, distinctive wood blanks for pens, turning projects, knife handles, calls, hybrid projects, and specialty woodworking.