Manitoba maple

The Manitoba maple (Acer negundo) is also called box elder, and you might be surprised to see it included here. Manitoba maples grow throughout North America, often in association with willows in places where moisture conditions are good (often along river banks) and they are rapid growing tree and can reach 60 ft. tall. They were once widely planted across the prairies as a farm and shelterbelt tree.

One of the problems associated with Manitoba maple is the fact that they produce copious amounts of seeds and can make quite a weed of themselves! The cultivar ‘Sensation’, however, is improved in nearly every way. First of all, it is more compact and will max out at around 30 ft., making it a pretty fine shade tree for any yard. Secondly, it is a male selection, thereby meaning that it is sterile and does not produce seeds. Furthermore, the fall color on ‘Sensation’ is glorious! Although the fall color for Manitoba maple is usually a brilliant gold, occasional trees are found to produce orange, bronze, or even red fall coloring. ‘Sensation’ has consistent, showy fall coloring that ranges from yellowish orange to brilliant orangey-red. It is a fabulous tree in all ways.