Ptelea trifoliata is easily recognized in Wisconsin. It is the only tree with alternate, compound leaves with three leaflets. The strongly flattened, winged fruits remain on the tree into the winter, making mature trees easy to identify.

The main range of Ptelea trifoliata is from Wisconsin to New York, south to Florida and Mexico, with scattered populations as far west as Colorado. In Wisconsin it is known from the southeastern counties, and a few scattered locations farther north, but it is not common anywhere in the state.