BOX ELDER: IT'S TIME TO GIVE IT A BREAK!

VIEW FROM THE BACK PORCH

BOX ELDER TREE ON CORNER OF THIRD STREET AND MANYPENNY AVE....

...ORANGE-BRONZE FALL LEAF COLOR...

...DITTO...

...BOX ELDER COMPOUND LEAF

 Tuesday, 9:00 AM.  45 degrees F, wind E, gusty.  The sky is overcast, the humidity 86%, and the barometer is falling, now at 30.17".  It is a cold, dull day.
   Box elder, Acer negundo, also known as ash-leaved maple, is not much seen or even recognized by most people anymore.  It is a small to medium sized maple tree, native to much of eastern and Mid western North America.  It is one of a very few maple species with compound leaves, rather than simple, lobed leaves. The common name "box elder" refers to its white wood which is reminiscent of that of the English boxwood tree, and to the similarity of its compound leaves to those of the elderberry bush.  Over the years it has gotten a rather bad rap as a trash tree and a host for the pesky but harmless box elder bug, but it is sturdy, adaptable and fast growing.  Like the sugar maple, Acer saccharum, it's sap is sweet and can be boiled down to make syrup and sugar.
   The box elder certainly is no prince charming among trees, but it is very useful, not bad looking, and has a rather unusual and pretty fall leaf color.
   It's time to give it a break!