Maple lumber collection
Clean, pale domestic alternative for furniture and utility builds.
View optionBox Elder Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Domestic hardwood species
Box Elder is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameAcer negundo
Janka hardness720 lbf
Average dried weight30.2 lb/ft³
Best fitCrates
Overview
Why choose Box Elder?
Box Elder is a domestic hardwood species. Its natural range is North America, mainly the eastern and central United States. Common uses include crates, boxes, charcoal, wood pulp, small ornamental items and turned objects.
Scientific nameAcer negundo
DistributionNorth America, mainly the eastern and central United States
ShrinkageRadial: 3.9%, Tangential: 7.4%, Volumetric: 14.8%, T/R Ratio: 1.9 More images | Identification
DurabilityDurability is poor, rated non-durable to perishable.
Box Elder colour, grain, and figure
The sapwood is pale white with an occasional yellow-green tint like yellow poplar. Heartwood is greyish or yellowish brown, frequently marked by red or pink streaks.
The grain is straight and the texture is fine and even. Growth rings tend to be faint and indistinct.
Working notes
It is easy to work with hand and machine tools. Turning, gluing and finishing all go well.
Box elder and its fellow Acer maples are known to irritate the skin, bring on a runny nose, and cause asthma-like breathing problems.
Box Elder should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Box Elder
Best projects
Common uses include crates, boxes, charcoal, wood pulp, small ornamental items and turned objects.
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Box Elder from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
Live edge slabs
Use when the customer cares more about slab format and visual impact than this exact species.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Box Elder FAQ
What is Box Elder best used for?
Common uses include crates, boxes, charcoal, wood pulp, small ornamental items and turned objects. Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Box Elder beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Box Elder?
The buying section on this page links to any Box Elder Kingma has in stock and to the closest alternatives. Stock changes often, so call (780) 229-7681 or visit the yard at 4607 91 Ave NW, Edmonton to check what is in today.