As timber, landscape ornamentals and for maple sugar and syrup. Winter sap contains a high concentration of stored sugars. Fossil plant parts are common in the Eocene.
Flowers are small and in inflorescences of corymbs, panicles, racemes, or umbels.
Hypogynous or perigynous. Fruit a winged schizocarp or samara. Seed is solitary and without endosperm. Placentation is axile. Habit is as shrubs or trees.