Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Compound (trifoliate with three leaflets, occasionally pinnate with 5-7 leaflets), deciduous
Shape
Ovate to lanceolate leaflets with acuminate tips and sometimes asymmetrical bases
Margin
Serrate to coarsely toothed, sometimes slightly lobed
Arrangement
Opposite on the twigs, which is a hallmark characteristic of the maple family
Venation
Pinnate venation with prominent midribs and branching secondary veins on each leaflet
Key Features
Opposite, pinnately compound leaves (usually with 3 leaflets), green twigs often with a whitish bloom that rubs off, and paired winged seeds (samaras) persisting into winter
Description
Acer negundo is an unusual maple because of its compound leaves rather than the typical simple lobed leaves of other maples. It is a fast-growing, medium-sized tree with a spreading, often irregular crown, grayish-brown furrowed bark, and drooping clusters of greenish flowers followed by winged samaras.
Habitat
Found commonly along streams, rivers, floodplains, and disturbed waste areas, highly adaptable to various soil and moisture conditions
Native Range
Native to North America, widely distributed across the United States and Canada, and introduced globally as an invasive or ornamental tree