Box Elder Acer negundo L.

Characteristics

Leaves:    Point tip, asymmetrical base, smooth or hairy edges,  smooth, light green dorsal and smooth or hairy, pale ventral with 3-7 leaflets 4 inches long, opposite and pinnately compound.

Flower:  Clustered, greenish-yellow, appears as leaves unfold, staminate and pistillate flowers grow on separate trees.

Fruit:  Grows in pairs, 2 inches long, with curved wings and seed bases, greenish-yellow, hang in clusters.

Twigs:  5-9 bundle traces, smooth, green rarely purplish, shiny, typically has white lenticels, with opposite leaf scars.

Bark:  Light brown bark, ridged in early stages, deeply furrowed in adulthood.

Buds:  Circular, up to 1/8 inches in length, white and hairy.

Form:  Medium sized, 60 feet tall, up to 4 feet diameter of trunk, crown is wide spread.

Habitat:  Damp woods.

Range: "Vermont across to Saskatchewan, south to Texas, east to Florida".

Wood:  Soft wood, whitish in color, and  close-grained in texture.

Uses:  Furniture design, interior finishing, and paper products .

Distinguishing Features:  Looks very similar to ash tree leaves, but the twigs are green in color and its fruits are paired.

Location:  Mattoon, IL

Sources Cited:  

Mohlenbrock, Robert.  (N.D.).  Forest Trees of Illinois.  Springfield, IL:  Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

(c) 2002-03  Cumberland High School. Katie M. All rights reserved.

Contact Information- lstarwalt@cumberland.k12.il.us

Link to Native Trees of Illinois index page.