This species of maple tree is native to North America. It is a short-lived medium tree with often multiple leaning trunks. Boxelder is one of the few maples that is completely dioecious (separate male and female flowers on separate trees). In the spring the very small male and female flowers appear similar, but only female trees develop fruit. Wood from the boxelder is used in fiberboards and in decorative applications such as bowls, pens, and stemware. The Native Americans used it for tubes, incense, and even candy when it was mixed with the inner side of animal hides.