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​Box Elder is a pretty tree throughout the seasons, but it is most admired in the fall, because of the vivid yellow-orange color. 
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Box Elder (Acer negundo)
Where do saplings go to learn?
  • ​Elementree school!
Did you know?
  • The wood is used to make crates, boxes, furniture, and interior finishing
  • Box Elder produces sap high in sugar content and can be used to produce syrup sometimes called "mountain molasses”
  • Native Americans would eat parts of it and boiled down the sap for syrup, candy, and made a tea from the inner bark to induce vomiting
  • Native Americans used the new branches to make charcoal for ceremonial painting
  • It is a species of Maple—you can tell from the genus name, “Acer”
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Common Names: 
  • Box Elder 
  • Ash-leaved Maple
  • Box Elder Maple 
  • Western Box Maple 
Wildlife Benefits: 
  • There are 285 species of moths and butterflies that depend on Box Elder to survive their caterpillar stage!
  • Seeds are eaten by many varieties of birds and squirrels
  • Deer feed on the leaves and twigs
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Habitat: 
  • ​Woodlands 
Size:
  • ​35-50' tall, with a crown width of 30-60' 
Growing Conditions: 
  • Full sun to partial shade 
  • Moist, well-drained soil 
Select Identification Characteristics: 
  • Leaf Type: Pinnately Compound
  • Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
  • Bud Arrangement: Opposite
  • Terminal Bud: Single
  • *Stems: Green
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