Box Elder/ Natural Edge

Box Elder/ Natural Edge

This piece is from a Box Elder burl and has a natural edge. Box Elder is one of the most forgiving woods to turn. It dries easily and turns very well and finishes to an excellent finish. I have spalted some pieces of Box Elder and usually get gray streaks and a few black lines. It is very difficult to get the bark to adhere to the natural edge because of the amount of moisture in the sap wood. The red color is natural and is caused by a fungus that feeds on the sugar in the wood and the spores of the fungus are red. So every where the fungus goes to feed it leaves a red trail. There are many different explanations for the red color but this is the one that I have heard the most. If there is a more scientific explanation please let me know. $200