Box Elder (Acer negundo)

 The box elder is actually a maple tree.  It is different from its cousins because it has compound leaves (each leaf has three to five leaflets).  It is a fast growing tree and is often planted for windbreaks or quick shade.  Box elder is a very common tree east of the Rocky Mountains except in eastern New England.  It grows extremely well in rich, well-drained valleys and in these places may reach a height of 18 m (60 ft.).

Its leaves might be mistaken for ash leaves except the leaflets are toothed whereas the ash leaflets are entire (smooth edges).

Pioneers often used the wood for cabinets and chests. It has lost some of its useful reputation and is now considered by some people as a “weed tree.”