tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post3755607432992609220..comments2024-03-22T20:11:44.673-04:00Comments on Saratoga woods and waterways: Spring Progress Report, 4/23Jacqueline Donnellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13390548854179921303noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post-75216937633267755742013-04-24T19:45:48.935-04:002013-04-24T19:45:48.935-04:00Thanks for stopping by to comment, Stephen. I have...Thanks for stopping by to comment, Stephen. I have seen that red flame pattern just recently, on a cut log, and it was quite impressive. I know Box Elder is often considered a "weed" tree, because it grows quickly and unbidden. But those same traits contribute to it being one of the highest value trees to wildlife, especially because it holds on to its seeds until well into the winter, providing food for birds and squirrels when most other sources are depleted. I have a Box Elder right outside my kitchen, on my next-door neighbor's property. My neighbor cut it down, but it grew back even higher within a very few years, and I am glad for it, for it provides wonderful shade for the south side of my house and it is always full of birds and squirrels.<br />Jacqueline Donnellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13390548854179921303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post-47535454366754296172013-04-24T18:55:54.970-04:002013-04-24T18:55:54.970-04:00I've had a lot of experience with box elder, m...I've had a lot of experience with box elder, mostly cutting it from my parent's property. It usually grows like a weed and is multi-trunked. It has seemed to sprout up in an around where the barns used to be on my parent's property. I read somewhere that if you lose a tree in a wind storm there is a good chance it's an elder. This is probably due to a number of reasons. It can be tapped just like the other maples and syrup can be made from the sap. Wood turners love it for making bowls and the like because if you've ever seen one cut into, the wood can have a flame red pattern. I still don't think scientists know exactly why this happens. Some of it can be quite beautiful. Stephen Puliafico Photographyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06620814727643876359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post-86236700549869422822013-04-24T09:53:03.145-04:002013-04-24T09:53:03.145-04:00Great minds think alike, Andrew! I just got a not...Great minds think alike, Andrew! I just got a note from Ed Miller suggesting this is Box Elder and not Sassafras. Also, although this trees twigs were aromatic, the aroma was not that of Sassafras. I will now post an update. Thanks for weighing in.Jacqueline Donnellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13390548854179921303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2662118368553266438.post-298977652212112182013-04-24T01:09:41.034-04:002013-04-24T01:09:41.034-04:00I think what you have is boxelder maple. They hav...I think what you have is boxelder maple. They have greenish twigs and from what I can see the buds appear to be oppositely arranged. The photo you posted with the extended flowers look just like boxelder too. It's impossible for it to be sassafras at this point. Angiosperm's flowers have determinate growth and stop growing at maturity; so there's no way they would ever grow to that point if it was sassafras. I'm pretty sure you have boxelder! When the leaves show that should clinch it :)Andrew Lane Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01555125434346996812noreply@blogger.com