box elder

box elder
a North American maple, Acer negundo, having light gray-brown bark, pinnate, coarsely toothed leaves, and dry, winged fruit, cultivated as a shade tree, and yielding a light, soft wood used in making furniture, woodenware, etc.
[1780-90, Amer.]

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Hardy and fast-growing tree (Acer negundo), also called ash-leaved maple, of the maple family, native to the central and eastern U.S. Its compound leaves (rare among maples) consist of three, five, or seven coarsely toothed leaflets.

The single seed is borne in a samara (dry, winged fruit). Because of its rapid growth and its drought resistance, it was widely planted for shade by early settlers in the prairie regions of the U.S. Maple syrup and sugar are sometimes obtained from the box elder. Its wood is used for crates, furniture, paper pulp, and charcoal.

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plant
also called  ash-leaved maple 
 (Acer negundo), hardy and fast-growing tree, of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to the central and eastern United States. Introduced to Europe, it is widely cultivated there as an ornamental. The tree grows to 9–15 m (30–50 feet) tall. The compound leaves (rare among maples) consist of three, five, or seven coarsely toothed leaflets. The single seed is borne in a samara, or key—i.e., a broad, flat winglike structure. Owing to its quick growth and its drought resistance, the box elder was widely planted for shade by early settlers in the prairie areas of the United States. Maple syrup and sugar are sometimes obtained from the box elder. Its wood is used for crates, furniture, paper pulp, and charcoal.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Box Elder — may refer to: *The Box elder, Acer negundo , a species of maple *The Box elder bug, an insect which feeds on maple trees *Places named Box Elder include::*Box Elder, Montana, United States of America:*Box Elder, South Dakota, United States of… …   Wikipedia

  • Box Elder — Box Elder, MT U.S. Census Designated Place in Montana Population (2000): 794 Housing Units (2000): 190 Land area (2000): 5.748032 sq. miles (14.887334 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 5.748032 sq …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Box Elder — (engl. für den Eschen Ahorn) ist der Name mehrerer Orte in den Vereinigten Staaten: Box Elder (Montana) Box Elder (South Dakota) Box Elder (Tennessee) Box Elder County Diese Seite …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Box elder — Elder El der, n. [OE. ellern, eller, AS. ellen, cf. LG. elloorn; perh. akin to OHG. holantar, holuntar, G. holunder; or perh. to E. alder, n.] (Bot.) A genus of shrubs ({Sambucus}) having broad umbels of white flowers, and small black or red… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Box Elder, MT — U.S. Census Designated Place in Montana Population (2000): 794 Housing Units (2000): 190 Land area (2000): 5.748032 sq. miles (14.887334 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 5.748032 sq. miles… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Box Elder, SD — U.S. city in South Dakota Population (2000): 2841 Housing Units (2000): 1072 Land area (2000): 5.802230 sq. miles (15.027706 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.003620 sq. miles (0.009375 sq. km) Total area (2000): 5.805850 sq. miles (15.037081 sq. km)… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Box elder — Box Box (b[o^]ks), n. [As. box, L. buxus, fr. Gr. ?. See {Box} a case.] (Bot.) A tree or shrub, flourishing in different parts of the world. The common box ({Buxus sempervirens}) has two varieties, one of which, the dwarf box ({Buxus… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • box-elder — see box n.1 2 b …   Useful english dictionary

  • box elder — ☆ box elder n. a medium sized, fast growing North American maple (Acer negundo), with compound leaves …   English World dictionary

  • Box Elder — Pour les articles homonymes, voir Box. Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Box Elder désigne aux États Unis : Box Elder, un village situé dans l État du Montana, Box Elder, une ville… …   Wikipédia en Français

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