permaculture

[dwoodard@becon.org]

a caution: here in the Niagara Peninsula of southern Ontario, both
Manitoba maple and balsam poplar could be regarded as weed trees if there
is anything else you want to grow. Balsam polar is a lovely fast growing
tree that spreads aggressively by root sprouts.

Another aggressive weed here is black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia,
although it is very useful for fence posts (long-lasting in soil), and is
a good nectar tree, especially the cultivar semperflorens. It has been
used to enhance growth of pines etc. by nitrogen fixing. I see Japanese
pagoda tree spreading aggressively also.

Doug Woodard
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada


> To answer a few of your questions and uncertainties... Manitoba maple or
> Acer negundo is a species of maple native to North America. Box Elder,
> Boxelder Maple, and Maple Ash are its other most common names according to
> wikipedia. It is a vigorously spreading species who's seedlings pop up in
> droves on lawns and gardens around central ontario. The wood is too weak
> for carpentry but would make decent firewood. Balsam poplar is fast
> growing, and can be used as firewood.