Size: 10-15 m (35 - 50 ft), larger understory tree.

Leaves and Flowers: Leaves are opposite, pinnately compound, 3-5 leaflets, egg shaped, and widest at the stem.

Flowers are yellow to lime-green, in small clusters hanging on a wire-like stem (female), pistils and stamens are on separate plants.

Habitat: moist woods.

Range: Vermont west to Saskatchewan, south to Texas, east to Florida.

Uses: Sauk and Mesquakie (Sac and Fox) men made spouts to tap the sugar maple trees during February and March. Wood was used as fuel for the all-important fires needed for cooking, heating, and other tasks. The seeds are eaten by songbirds, waterbirds, small mammals in winter.