The _leaves_ are opposite on the stem, have from 3 to 5 lobes ending in
long points with toothed edges and are separated by deep angular sinuses
or openings; they are pale green on the upper surface and silvery-white
underneath. The buds are rounded, red or reddish-brown, blunt-pointed;
generally like those of red maple.
The _flowers_ appear in the spring before the leaves, in dense clusters,
and are of a greenish-yellow color. The _fruit_ ripens in late spring.
It consists of a pair of winged seeds or "keys" with wings 1 to 2 inches
long on slender, flexible, threadlike stems about an inch long.
The _wood_ is soft, weak, even-textured, rather brittle, easily worked,
and decays readily when exposed. It is considerably used for boxboards,
furniture, veneers and fuel.
The red maple, or swamp maple, _Acer rubrum_ L., has leaves deeply
lobed with the lobes sharply toothed. The autumn color is deep red.
The flowers also are red and the fruit is small reddish, maturing late
in spring.
+BOX ELDER+ _Acer negundo_ L.
THE box elder is a fairly rapidly growing tree, found commonly along
streams rather generally over the State. It is a tree of medium size,
rarely reaching over 24 inches in diameter and 60 to 70 feet in height.
It has been considerably planted for shade because in good soil its
growth is rapid. Its limbs and branches, however, are fragile, and the
tree as a whole is rather subject to disease. It is not long-lived or
generally satisfactory for any purpose. It is prolific in reproduction
but is largely destroyed by grazing and cultivation.
[Illustration: BOX ELDER