Box Elder

Description:

The boxelder is a fast growing , wide spreading, short stemmed tree of irregular shape. It is the only native maple with more than one single blade or leaflet on a single leaf stalk. It is of medium size and under favorable conditions it attains a height of 50 to 80 feet and a diameter of 24 inches. However, it is a rather short-lived tree, is quite brittle or fragile. Because of its rapid growth on good soils, it has been planted frequently for shade and ornamental purposes in areas where other trees do not grow well. Common names include ashleaf maple Manitoba maple and poison ivy tree. Boxelder is native along streambanks over a wide area of the United States, grows along flood plains, and naturalizes quickly on disturbed sites.

Habitat:

Wooded area near edge of road.