North America’s most widely-distributed maple species is Acer negundo. The range of the species extends from central Canada to Mexico and Guatemala.
As is sometimes the case with broad-ranging species, a number of common names are used: in Canada, Manitoba maple is most prevalent; in the USA, it is known as box elder. Other names include ashleaf maple, elf maple, river maple, and cut-leaf maple. River maple hints at its association with riparian habitats. It is also found in floodplains and other disturbed habitats associated with water courses. The plant in today’s photographs grows in an area of eastern Zion National Park that has occasional significant water flow–perhaps not quite flash flood level, but enough to scour the gravel- and sand-filled channels nearby and reduce plant establishment.
Having both the properties of broad-ranging and a preference for disturbed habitats can lead to inferences that Manitoba maple may be a potential invasive species. Not only has Acer negundo become an invasive or pest species in central Europe, Australia and eastern China, but it is also sometimes considered invasive outside its historic native range in North America. Though a number of cultivars have been selected, it is often unpopular in cultivation due to being short-lived, weak-branched, suckering, and messy (among other negatives). This circles back to common names; trash maple is sometimes derogatorily used.
The Wikipedia article on Acer negundo provides reasons ranging from wildlife use to human art as to why Manitoba maple is indeed valuable. One example to consider is that the earliest-recorded North American wooden flutes were crafted from Manitoba maple: Anasazi Flutes from the Broken Flute Cave.
I will also add that I have tried maple syrup from Manitoba maple. It’s not as sweet as the syrup from sugar maple, but still more than palatable.
Totally horrid weed tree in cities. I think it’s natural range is in broad bottoms where the weak crotches split in weather and hinge into ground covering maple imperialism…The broken branches provide shade for it’s seedlings and reduced soil evaporation . The trees can thus cover acres of marginal ground in ten years….
Although weedy, Acer negundo has two traits that have been useful in gardens. First, there is a lovely grey-blue bloom on first year stems, which can be showy against dark backgrounds. Coppicing (frequent cutting back to force new growth) is used to capitalize on this trait. Second, Acer negundo can look very old and picturesque at a relatively young age. You just have to put up with the seedlings.
I will try to have more respect for box elder in the future.
In 25 yrs, I’ve had one seedling. It’s not a particularly architectural tree, but it grows quickly and limits the view of offensive neighbors. The variegated cultivars can be nice.
I always remember the shocked look on a friend’s face who mistook some seedlings that I was growing for “poison ivy” which it’s three leaf architecture resembles. An attractive small tree on sharky clay around New Orleans, less vigorous on the acidic loam where I now live north of Lake Ponchartrain. I’ve not noticed any “volunteers.” Perhaps my material is more alkaline inclined?
It also is a popular tree among woodturners, as it develops a lovely red pattern in its center in the latter part of its life, and is often lathe-turned into very nice bowls…etc… Unfortunately, the red color fades in a few years, leaving a bland beige color. I have quit using it, as I feel the need to be honest with people who buy woodturnings from me.
A picture of my favorite box elder. From about 2000 and probably not there anymore.
You have neglected the best part of the “Box Elder” and that is the box elder bug. If you have ever had them, you’ll love them overwintering in your house. Delightful!
Is anyone else having to wait way too long for these photos to open? The majority aren’t opening in less than 5 minutes. Smaller files, please, or I’ll have to unsubscribe.
No, it’s not just you. I had the same problem at home. It’s a complex issue, which in this case was exarcebated by the software used to display multiple photos causing at least some of the problem. I’ll stick with single images until the larger issue (the one I can’t influence much in terms of how fast it gets done) is resolved, then I will tackle speeding up image delivery on the server.
What I would like to know is whether the Acer is named after Vitex negundo which Linnaeus named in the same book. As Vitex negundo is called nirgundi in Hindi I would assume so, unless it is coincidental.
Maybe. The Dictionary of Botanical and Biographical Etymology at http://www.calflora.net/botanicalnames/pageN.html says: “negun’do: from the native Sanskrit and Bengali nirgundi, the specific name of the plant Vitex negundo and given to Acer negundo because of a supposed similarity of leaf (ref. Acer negundo)”. The two plants are not related.
There are a few redeeming qualities of Boxelder. The first is Banjo wizard Tom Adams version of his original song “Boxelder beetles” (which, incidentally, I have learned to play after about 2 years of messing with it). Take a listen here and see the boxelder beetles too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RF2lpmLBsI The second nice thing is that their wood is not very rot-resistant and the frequently injured tree produces many cavities for wildlife habitat. The cavities are used by flying squirrels, gray squirrels, wood ducks, bull snakes, opossums, raccoons, honey bees and wasps. Finally, the early production of the fruits come at a time of year when squirrels really need them. I like them functionally even if I don’t much care for the tree otherwise. Hard to figure out why other maples burn wonderfully when dried yet Manitoba maple seems an inferior firewood.
Lee Foote
University of Alberta, Devonian Botanic Garden
Edmonton, Alberta
A story in 5 frames about the demise of an Acer Negundo:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90711462@N00/albums/72157594534086222/with/261492431/
Thank you Daniel for the fine pictures, plus the lively discussion on this comfortably familiar maple. A great reminder that the everyday can also be full of exotic mystery.
A negundo is invasive in France! I am in charge of the maintenance of an island on the river Saone, in Lyon and we have to fight A negundo, Japanese knotweed and bamboo…that’s a lot of pressure on one little island!
A large A. negundo with a split trunk took out telephone and internet cables in our back yard. We cut it back to about 6 feet tall, with a 4 foot wide trunk. Many years later, every year sprouts grow 6-10 feet, keeping me very busy with the pruning, but I leave the tree alive for the wildlife benefits.
I have a neighbor who’s property backs up to a creek and box elder maples are distributed through the creek area (unwitting people have sprayed the foliage with RoundUp think it is a poison ivy tree). The front yard has a few Goldenrain trees (Koelruteria). I cannot IMAGINE the nuisance they must deal with every late winter with box elder bug invasions!