Tree Description:
The only maple with compound leaves, boxelder can attain a height of 50 to 75 feet, with a trunk 2 to 3 feet in diameter, but is usually smaller. The tree is generally short-lived and its branches are brittle and break easily.
Range/Site Description:
Occurs in the eastern half of Texas, to the lower Blanco river. It is usually found on the banks of streams, in riverflat forests, and the borders of swamps.
Leaf:
Leaves are 6" to 12" long, compound, oppositely attached to twig, usually with 5 leaflets, occasionally 3 or even 7. The leaflets are short-stalked, 2" to 4" long, 1.5" to 3" wide, coarsely and irregularly toothed, light green above and paler beneath.
Flower:
Borne as greenish, drooping clusters in spring, in the axils between leaf and twig.
Fruit:
Fruit is a double samara, or maple "key," green, turning light tan when mature, each winged half about 1" to 2" long. Seeds join to form a 90 degree angle and persist even after leaf drop in fall.
Bark:
Twigs are green, turning to gray or brown on larger branches. Trunk bark is gray to tan, breaking into ridges and fissures.
Wood:
Wood is light, soft, creamy-white, and weak but close-grained. It is sometimes used in other states for low grade furniture and interior finish. It is also used for woodenware, cooperage, and paper pulp.
Similar Species:
Leaves with 3 leaflets can cause confusion with leaves of poison-ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
Interesting Facts:
