help me identify
- Thread starter epigolucky
- Start date
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tdsmart
Member
Flame Box Elder would be my guess.
keithbyrd
Member
Yep - Flame Box Elder
low_48
Member
Absolutely box elder. Be aware that the brilliant red will fade with time. Everyone hopes it won't, but unless you keep it in a drawer, it's going to fade.
hcpens
Member
Box elder (Acer negundo) also known as ashleaf maple, manitoba maple, flame box elder and also flame elder tree
A relatively soft hardwood with a specific gravity of 0.45
Workability : Glues, sands and finishes well
Description/ Identification : Box elder is a species of maple that usually has creamy white close grained wood, but after the ambrosia beetle infects the tree, and the fungi follow, a very unique thing starts to happen. The wood will eventually turn into a mix of red, orange and light yellows, producing a red sunburst pattern in the endgrain. Very similar to the way silver and black show in endgrain of ambrosia maple. Box elder is a very easy wood to work with and is always an eye catcher.
A relatively soft hardwood with a specific gravity of 0.45
Workability : Glues, sands and finishes well
Description/ Identification : Box elder is a species of maple that usually has creamy white close grained wood, but after the ambrosia beetle infects the tree, and the fungi follow, a very unique thing starts to happen. The wood will eventually turn into a mix of red, orange and light yellows, producing a red sunburst pattern in the endgrain. Very similar to the way silver and black show in endgrain of ambrosia maple. Box elder is a very easy wood to work with and is always an eye catcher.
triw51
Member
Is there anything to keep the colors from fading (besides hiding it in a drawer)?
Nothing that I've ever heard of and it's discussed all the time on WTU. Someone is always trying a new finish or combination for BEB and purple heart.
walshjp17
Member
A member of one of the local woodturning clubs dyes the red areas to make sure they stay vibrant. He uses analine dyes. He's used both powdered and liquid with equally successful results.
epigolucky
Member
Thanks everyone for the help. I'm looking forward to seeing what turns out...
epigolucky
Member
So, the red color is caused by fungus, which as the fungus dies off the color begins to face. I wonder if there is a way to preserve or stabilize the fungus to prevent the fading? I might touch base with one of the microbiologists I work with to see if they are aware of anything that can help hold the color. Should be an interesting conversation tomorrow :laugh:
Not yet Adam, not so much a fungus but a reaction to excrement...much like ambrosia...enzymes have a weird way of working. If the guys with MD behind their names have an answer...i'd buy it!