Box Elder

Description:

Boxelder has a broad, rounded crown, and commonly grows to heights of over 60 feet. The bark is light gray-brown in color, with shallow fissures, and resembles the bark of white ash. Leaves are arranged oppositely along the twigs, and are pinnately compound with 3 to 5 (or more) leaflets. Leaves are 5 to 8 inches long with leaflets of 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. The leaflets are long pointed with course teeth and often shallow lobes. Boxelder flowers are yellow-green and about 5 mm long. Fruits are winged samaras which occur in pairs and are clustered on long stalks. Flowering occurs with or just before leaf-out, and seeds are produced in late summer to early fall.

Habitat:

Edge of woods below Belton Lake dam.