This fast growing, short lived tree grows to heights of up to seventy feet with a maximum trunk size of about three and a half feet.  Box elder is one of the lightest and softest of the American maples, with a close grain and a creamy white base color. What makes it especially striking—and ideal for bowls and platters—are the vivid raspberry-red streaks and flecks that can appear in the wood. These colorful markings are a natural defense response by the tree to injury, believed to help inhibit fungal growth, particularly from Fusarium solani. As the wood dries, the red often mellows to soft pinks or muted brown-grays, creating a gentle, organic palette. Pieces marked with tiny natural holes add further character and enhance the wood’s rustic beauty.