Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Compound (pinnately compound, typically with 3 to 7 leaflets; deciduous)
Shape
Lanceolate to ovate leaflets with asymmetric bases and pointed tips
Margin
Serrate (coarsely toothed) with occasional shallow lobes
Arrangement
Opposite
Venation
Pinnate with a prominent central midrib and reticulate secondary veins
Key Features
Opposite, pinnately compound leaves (an unusual trait for maples), coarsely toothed leaflet margins, and green twigs often with a whitish waxy bloom
Description
Acer negundo is a fast-growing, medium-sized deciduous tree with a somewhat irregular canopy and light gray-brown furrowed bark. Unlike most maples with simple leaves, it features compound leaves resembling those of ashes. It produces drooping clusters of yellowish-green flowers in spring followed by paired winged samaras.
Habitat
Found primarily along riverbanks, streams, floodplains, and disturbed areas, tolerating a wide range of moisture and soil conditions
Native Range
Native across a vast region of North America from Canada down through the United States to Mexico, widely introduced globally