Maple Family
Boxelder  "Ashleaf Maple" "Manitoba Maple"  (Acer negundo)

Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!  Psalm 148:7-9

            This fast-growing tree in the maple family can reach a height of thirty to sixty feet.  It has pinnately compound leaves with three to seven leaflets that are pointed at the ends.  In fall the leaves turn brown or yellow and fall from the tree.  The bark is light gray and has narrow furrows and deep ridges.  Male and female flowers come in spring and are on separate trees.  Seeds may hang on the tree until winter.  Birds such as Evening Grosbeaks come in flocks  and eat the seeds in winter. Some people do not like to plant the female or seed bearing Boxelder trees because in fall they often attract hundreds of orange and black Boxelder bugs.  The bugs do not damage the trees or  bite or hurt people, but sometimes they become a nuisance when many of them gather on the sides of buildings looking for winter shelter.

            Enjoy looking at the Boxelder tree.  Who and what in creation might sing praises because of the presence of this tree?

Dear Lord,
Help us to give praise to you for all that you have created.  In your name we pray, Amen.