Holy cow that's beautiful. To think I always thought of Box Elders as garbage trees. I had one cut down and hauled all of it to the dump about 30 years ago. I had no idea they had such beautiful wood.
Thanks for all the wonderful comments - quite the welcoming committee here … I debated both ways with the base -but because this piece is turned end grain with the pith still in it ( and was not completely Dry ) I expect some movement and possible cracking so I thought leaving the base and worm holes and tunnels and small voids - made it look more natural and that what ever cracks or distortion takes place would look better the more natural the piece and setting-at least that's my thinking ,now I'm just hoping mother nature is gentle in the drying process - i did soak this piece in teak oil hoping to ease the cracking a bit and possibly add some UV protection to help keep the color
Thanks for all the wonderful comments - quite the welcoming committee here … I debated both ways with the base -but because this piece is turned end grain with the pith still in it ( and was not completely Dry ) I expect some movement and possible cracking so I thought leaving the base and worm holes and tunnels and small voids - made it look more natural and that what ever cracks or distortion takes place would look better the more natural the piece and setting-at least that s my thinking ,now I m just hoping mother nature is gentle in the drying process - i did soak this piece in teak oil hoping to ease the cracking a bit and possibly add some UV protection to help keep the color