Acer negundo — Box Elder

(Too) common, an early (17th century) American introduction; usually rather ugly, but mature trees with their feathery foliage are impressive.

The opposite leaves are very variable, pinnate with three, five or sometimes more leaflets; the leaflets are irregularly strongly lobed. The buds are whitish and the shoots are a plastic-looking green with a whitish bloom. The flowers appear before the leaves in copious filamentous hanging plumes.

var. violaceum trees are purple-bloomed with red-purple flowers.

‘Flamingo’ is a small tree with variegated leaves with white borders, initially flushed pink.

For similar trees see: Opposite pinnate leaves

 
 

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Copyright © 2007 Philip Brassett