Some consider the box-elder, or Manitoba maple, to be a weedy tree, and to these people should be reminded that a weed is an unwanted plant, and who can’t appreciate the canopy of a tree overhead on a hot day! Manitoba maples make many seeds, which are happy enough to grow up from cracks in old paving, in back alleys and unkempt spots, these spring up quickly to large size and grace the location with lovely shade. It is native to the central provinces, but has naturalized in the east where people have created the kinds of habitats that it likes. The only maple tree in our region that has compound leaves, it might be mistaken for an ash. It can be told apart by the lobes on its leaflets.