Mike Mahoney – Red Box Elder Set

Mike Mahoney – Red Box Elder Set:
Mike Mahoney describes the wood that led him to make this useful set

Box elder (Acer negundo) also known as ash leaf maple, Manitoba maple, maple, négondo, it is one of the finest utility woods on earth. Its relative density, closed pores, ease to work and sand, plus its sheer beauty, make it a salad bowl maker’s dream wood.
I have spent a lifetime using this species since it grows best in the heart of the American West. It is usually seen near waterways, but has also been planted as an ornamental tree. They are prone to burl (otherwise known as burr) and also have a red spalting, as seen on this set.
When I acquired the tree that made this set, I noticed a man running a chainsaw through the tree. It looked like blood coming out from the ribbons the saw produced. The red will fade if the wood is in direct sunlight but the figure will always be prominent.
This particular set went to a collector of mine who wanted to use it only for display. I said that wasn’t possible since my work was made to be used as well as displayed. Use of my work gives it more character, like wrinkles on a face. He agreed and promised to use it.