Not even ! Woodturners love Box Elder, a member of the maple family.

 

A quick search on LJs turns up a bunch of projects with the term "box elder". Looks like most of the projects are boxes or pens. I would not say it's worthless, but it might not be worth slabbing. Note that the color inside the wood is what makes it attractive, and your trees may or may not have that palette.

EDIT: I've also seen table tops, bench tops and fireplace mantles made from box elder.

 

I would take it in a heartbeat. Of course I take all logs, but that's besides the point.

 

Pink rays in the heart. As far as I can tell. The top of the trunk where it got narrower I did cut a "test slab off. Saw pink wavy strips in the grain. Is that a good color or not. The tree must have been pretty wind twisted sitting on top of the mound. The grain is definitely not smooth. I think I'll pull the trigger and get it planked and peel and chop the larger branches for turning.
While I was down there I noticed that on of my bigger walnut trees has some large burl swellings on it's base. If it's viral I'll just let it grow, if it's fungal I will have to treat it. Gotta take a plug to see.

 

Worthless? No way! Some of the most beautiful wood there is! IMO

 

I have been on a search for box elder to have made into,lumber for a while now with no luck. It's not all gonna have the red streaks, but what does is beautiful. As said, box elder is a maple. It is soft like silver maple.

 

I had a box elder cut down a coupe years ago. A lot of it had the flame color in it. I cut 20'' logs on my bandsaw and use it for different projects. Some of it after it is milled looks even better. Check out the box I posted in January. Well worth keeping if there is any flame in it. Great for turning too.