mystery tree

[Landscape25]

Could it be this?


http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/kids/tree_box.htm

[Contrary Housewife]

It is not a goldenrain. Does not have flowers.

I think what we have is a boxelder. http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/her...s/aceneg01.htm

[frugalfranny]

Interesting CW......so?? is it a male or female? Which flower is like your tree? I didn't read it all but what I read was interesting......didn't even know any trees were either 'male' or 'female'..........always, always, always, something new to learn with gardening. That is why I like it.

[McD]

I don't know what kinda tree it is, but it looks like an excellent climbing tree!

[Contrary Housewife]

It's a male boxelder, it has the "red" flowers, but really they are more brown and hardly visible, just little clumps, so it's not something you'd think of as being a flowering tree like a magnolia or a dogwood. It doesn't make the spinner seeds, being male.(thank goodness) We have enough as it is with all the silver maples around here, never mind the sweet gum trees. (Both put in the yards by the developers 35 years ago).

I wanted to know what it was, because we had a big branch down from a recent storm, and if it is the right kind of wood I can use it on my smoker. It's a hardwood, so it should burn well, and being a maple it should have sweet smoke, but I've read it doesn't make a lot of smoke. The important thing is that it does not make bitter smoke which would ruin the food. Even if it doesn't smoke a lot, I can use it to build up the fire and then put pecan or cherry or something on top of it for flavor. So this solves the problem of the downed branch, and saves me a few bucks on firewood.

There's another big limb that broke off, but it is still hung up in the tree. It's only a matter of time before another storm knocks it loose, then I'll have more wood for cooking with this summer. Since I live in the city I usually have to buy wood.

[fernykins]

The link works for me now.......... no idea but it sure is a nice size tree,
Fern

[Sassyclass]

We have female Boxelders. We had them when I was growing up and we always put the spinners between our tongue and top teeth and blew to make a silly noise. You have a beautiful tree.

Cat