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Maple Trees...
Manitoba Maple:
Acer negundo L
Other names - Ash Leaf Maple, Box Elder
Habitat: The Manitoba maple grows in southern Manitoba and extends eastward to Ontario and south as far as Florida and New Mexico. Swampland, lakeshores, the banks of streams or any area that is seasonally flooded are preferred growing spots.
Size and Form: Growing up to 20 m high and approximately 75 cm in diameter, the Manitoba maple is a smaller Maple tree. In the forest, the trunk can become long and straight, however in the open it is divided near the ground into a few long spreading limbs that branch irregularly to support the broad crown. The root system is shallow and sometimes there is a tap root in deeper soils.
 Leaves: The light green leaves are uniquely compounded and composed of 3 to 9 leaflets on a central stock. Each leaflet can be from 5 to 12 cm long with a coarsely toothed edge, resembling a very shallow lobe. The leaflets appear asymmetrical on the stalk except for the leader. The leader assumes a point position at the end of the leaf. Underneath, the leaf is gray-green in colour and the underside is hairless. In the autumn the leaf turns yellow.
Buds: The terminal buds are 3 to 8 mm long and enclosed by 2 to 3 pairs of brownish purple  scales. It is coated with fine white hair. The lateral buds are almost as large. They are located within the base of the leaf stalk and pressed against the twig which is why they are not always visible until the leaf falls off. V-shaped leaf scars meet each other around the twig.
Fruits and Seeds: The keys are arranged in drooping clusters inherited from the seed flowers.  The wings are 30 - 50 mm long and the angle between them is usually less than 45 degrees. The shiny green seed cases have an elongated shape and are wrinkled. The keys (seeds) mature in autumn and often remain on the tree over the winter months.
Flowers: Pollen flowers (male) and seed flowers (female) are produced on separate trees. They appear before or with the leaves. The pollen flowers are dense red bundles on single stalks. The pale green seed flowers are arranged in loose drooping clusters with a central stem.
Vegetative Reproduction:  This fast growing tree sprouts from stumps and roots giving it the reputation of being a nuisance or weed tree.
Bark: The bark on young trees is lightly ridged and a light gray brown colour. As the tree ages, the ridges grow into furrows and the bark becomes darker in colour. The twigs are fat, shiny and a purplish green colour. They are covered with a waxy powder that is easily rubbed off.
Wood: The moderately soft wood is pale in colour and close grained. It is sometimes used in rough construction such as boxes and crates.
Quick Recognition: Irregular in form, the Manitoba maple likes moist soils. In open areas it will split near the ground into long spreading limbs which are perfect for climbing. The leaves are compound, similar to the ash tree.
The keys are abundant and have sharp angles.
Notes: The keys of the seeds are animportant source of winter food for birds and small mammals. At one time the plains Indians made sugar from the sap.Some gardeners consider this tree to be a nuisance because of the abundance of leaves it sheds in the autumn. 
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