Acer negundo is a variety of maple, commonly known as box elder or ash-leaf maple. Being a thirsty tree, it is often found in creek bottoms. It’s most noted feature of interest to woodturners is the red stain found in what is often referred to as ‘flame box elder.’
Research has found that the red stain can result from a variety of stresses to the tree, including insects, fungus, and breakage or wounding. The color can fade if exposed to sunlight, so it is best to display flame box elder in rooms not likely to receive direct or strong indirect sunlight.
The specimen shown above was found by Robert Marshall, in a ravine along Lullwater Creek, in Atlanta, GA.
