The Box Elder, Acer Negundo, also called the ash leaved maple, is a species of maple native to the North American Continent. The tree is small, very fast growing, and at times short lived, it generally grows to heights of thirty to seventy five feet and the trunk seldom exceeds two feet in diameter. The Box Elder sometimes has several trunks and in the wild at times grows so thickly as to form impenetrable thickets.
The leaves which are unlike any other species of maple are compound and consist of three, five, or seven coarsely toothed leaflets. The seeds are borne in a samara, the little winged seeds everyone had so much fun playing "helicopter" with as children. Also unlike most maples Acer Negundo is fully dioecious, which means that both a male and a female tree are needed in order for the tree to reproduce.
This hearty tree is an exceptionally fast grower and is prized for its use as a shade tree, for and for its dense, strong wood. The tree, while being highly drought resistant, will also thrive in moist and damp soil conditions. Box Elder, like most of the maples has also, at times, been used for its sugary sap which is harvested in winter and boiled down to make maple sugar, maple syrup, and maple candy. Box elder has been used so extensively for landscaping that there is practically no city in the eastern or Great Plains regions of the US that doesn't have at least a few planted along roadways, as decorative trees in municipal areas and in city parks.
Not only does the tree's graceful spreading crown provide shade and beautiful greenery, which turns to a bright orange in autumn but it is also a great addition to the landscaping of the nature lover. Many species of birds, such as the Evening Grosbeak, prefer this maple for nesting and feed heavily on the seeds it produces. Squirrels also heartily devour maple seeds and love the cover and protection that the tree provides.
Because the Box Elder is so extensively used in landscaping it is easy to purchase in the landscaping department of most chain home improvement stores. For sturdy, better quality trees it is a better step to avoid those and shop from a reputable mail order, or online tree nursery that specializes in supplying high quality landscaping foliage to discerning customers. If you are looking for a great deal on the Box Elder you can get it at www.quick-growing-trees.com .
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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