Handbook of Teeks of the Noktii ickn States axd Canada. 



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The Box-Elder attains a height of from 50 to 

 75 ft. with rather wide-spreading top and short 

 trunk 2-4 ft. in diameter. It ranges from the 

 western slopes of the Allegli;uiy Mountains 

 to the limits of tree growth on the western 

 planes. Occupying the banks of streams, lake 

 shores and low bottom-lands, it is one of the 

 most generally distributed and abundant trees 

 throughout all this range, hut is rare east of 

 the Alleghanies. Its handsome foliage, rapidity 

 of growth and unusual ability to withstand 

 .Iroutli make it very popular for planting as 

 a shade-tree in the cities and towns of mid- 

 continental regions, where it ornaments the 

 streets and door-yards of many homes. Several 

 nursery varieties have appeared which have 

 won popularitj' both in this and European 

 countries. 



Tlie wood of the r.ox-Elder is light, a en. ft. 

 when absolutely dry weighing 2(i.07 lbs., soft, 

 close-grained, easily worked and is used in the 

 manufacture of wooden-ware, lumber for in- 

 terior finishing and paper pulp.= From its sap 

 sugar is sometimes made. 



Leaves .1-."i-foliate with ovati' to oval Icariets, 

 from cuneate to subcordate and cndrc at ijasc, rr- 

 inritc]y and irre.e-ularly serralr or lolicd ahovo, 

 tonicatose at first Init at matm-ity sreen above, 

 lialn- and hairy in the axils beneath, thin, turnin',' 

 yellow in the autumn. Flowcru dioecious, A-M-y 

 small, appearini; hcl'fu-e the lea\-es, yellowish 

 green : the staminate in fascicles with very sleinlcr 

 pedicels 1-2 in. lonj,^ ; the pistillate in" unri'ow 

 racemes. Frtiit: samnras, .ql.abi-ous, lti>-- iu. 

 lon.c:. somewhat incurved, in drooping raeemi'S (!-S 

 in. Ions, falling in autumn but stems conunonly 

 persistini: until sprin ■■. 



Var. Cnlifnrnicn ( T. & i;.) Snr^',. is ti'i-foliate 

 with more eoarsely denlate Iratlels. ]iale t»imentose 

 beneath. 



1. Syn. Nffjundo aceroidcs Moench. 



•2. A. W . 



Ill, 



