Boxelder
Scientific name: Acer negundo
Overview
Boxelder is a fast-growing North American hardwood species within the maple family. It is known for its lighter weight, pale coloration, and occasional red or pink streaking caused by fungal staining, making some figured pieces popular among woodworkers and turners.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Boxelder
- Scientific Name: Acer negundo
- Region: North American Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 30–70 ft tall, 1–3 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 26 lbs/ft³ (420 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 720 lbf
- Color: Pale cream to light brown, sometimes with red streaking
- Grain: Straight to irregular
- Texture: Fine
Identification Characteristics
Boxelder typically has a pale appearance with a fine texture and subtle grain. Some boards may display dramatic red or pink spalting patterns.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale cream to light brown coloration
- Occasional red or pink streaking
- Fine texture
- Straight to slightly irregular grain
Working Properties
Boxelder is easy to work and is especially popular for turning and decorative woodworking when figured material is available.
- Easy to machine
- Turns well
- Glues and finishes easily
- Stable during cutting and shaping
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause mild irritation. Use proper dust collection and respiratory protection.
Common Uses
Boxelder is commonly used in decorative woodworking and utility applications.
- Turned objects
- Decorative woodworking
- Utility lumber
Sustainability & Notes
This species is widespread throughout North America and is commonly considered a lower-value commercial maple, though figured pieces can be highly sought after.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Hard Maple – A much denser maple species commonly used for flooring and furniture.
Silver Maple – A softer maple species with similar lightweight characteristics.
Bigleaf Maple – A more decorative maple known for figured grain patterns.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern – Explains how grain and figure help distinguish species like Boxelder.
Color Changes in Tropical Hardwoods Over Time – Useful for understanding how pale woods and figured woods can shift with age and exposure.
Wood Movement and Seasonal Expansion Explained – Covers how lighter hardwoods react to humidity and environmental conditions.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Boxelder is a popular collector wood when heavily figured or streaked with red spalting, making certain pieces especially attractive for turning and decorative projects.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Support Forest Conservation
This species is part of the growing Exotic Woods of the World reference archive, dedicated to documenting and preserving knowledge of the world’s wood species.
Through the Adopt a Species program, visitors can help support ongoing species research, educational content, photography, video production, and future conservation awareness initiatives.
Contributions help fund the continued expansion of this archive while promoting sustainable forestry education and the long-term appreciation of the world’s forests.
Interested in supporting this species? Visit our Adopt a Species and Conservation Partners pages to learn more.
Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• THORVALD 3-in-1 Carpenter Mechanical Pencil Set for making precise layout marks on wood, lumber, drywall, concrete, and other construction materials
https://amzn.to/43TXSQV
• Gorilla Ultimate Waterproof Wood Glue (18 oz) for creating strong, waterproof bonds in indoor and outdoor woodworking, furniture, and repair projects
https://amzn.to/3R0IRd4
• DEWALT 21-Piece Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set for drilling clean, accurate holes in wood, metal, and plastic with long-lasting pilot point bits
https://amzn.to/4ap1dLl
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