Leaf: Has three to seven leaflets.

[Illustration: FIG. 35.--Leaf of Norway Maple.]

Form and size: A medium-sized tree with a short trunk and wide-spreading
top.

Range: Eastern United States to the Rocky Mountains.

Soil and location: Grows rapidly in deep, moist soil and river valleys,
but accommodates itself to the dry and poor soil conditions of the
city.

[Illustration: Figure 36.--Twig of the Box Elder.]

Enemies: Few.

Value for planting: Used as a shade tree in the Middle West, but the
tree is so ill formed and so short-lived that it is not to be
recommended.

Commercial value: None. The wood is soft.

Other characters: The _bark_ of the trunk is smooth and yellowish-green
in young trees and grayish brown in older specimens. The _flowers_
appear in the early part of April. The _fruit_ takes the form of
yellowish-green keys which hang on the tree till late fall.

Other common names: The box elder is also commonly known as the
_ash-leaf maple_.