Station 37
Botanical Name: Acer negundo
Common Name: Boxelder, Ash-leaved Maple
Minor Deciduous Tree
Native Origin: United States and Southern Canada
Height: 30’-50’
Spread: 40’-60’
Form: Wide Spreading and ragged appearance
Flowers: Dioecious, yellowish Green, March to April
Fruit: Samara, profuse
Bark: Grey-brown, slightly ridged
Comments: This native deciduous tree has low commercial value but had been utilized by Native Americans for a wide number of uses such as, food, syrup, candy, molasses, and tea from the bark to induce vomiting. Boxelder was once widely planted in shelterbelts in the Great Plains to reduce wind erosion and dust storms, but these shelterbelts have largely been removed. Its fibrous root system and prolific seeding habit make it valuable for erosion control in some parts of the world. The seeds are an important winter food for wildlife.