Box Elder, Box Elder Maple, Ash-leaved Maple, Ashleaf Maple, Red River Maple, Fresno De Guajuco
Acer negundo, commonly known as Box Elder, Boxelder Maple, or Manitoba Maple, is a fast-growing, short-lived deciduous tree native to North America. Recognized for its compound leaves and adaptability, Box Elder thrives in a variety of environments, from riparian zones to urban landscapes. While not as ornamental as other maples, it is valued for its resilience and ability to thrive in challenging landscapes.
Maple trees belong to the Sapindaceae family, which includes several popular ornamental trees such as Japanese Maple(Acer palmatum), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), Golden Rain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata), Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum), and Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum).
Box Elder is native to North America, ranging from Canada to Honduras. It naturally grows in floodplains, along riverbanks, and in disturbed areas with ample moisture. Due to its adaptability, it has also naturalized in parts of Europe, South America, Australia, and Asia.
Boxelder Maple is a fast-growing, medium-sized deciduous tree with an irregular, rounded crown. It frequently forms multiple trunks or leaning branches, giving it a somewhat untamed appearance. This hardy, suckering tree has an upright growth habit and a broad, spreading canopy.
At maturity, Box Elder typically grows 30-50 feet (9-15 m) in height with a similar spread. In optimal conditions, it can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) or more per year. Fast Growing Trees for Small Yards and Large Gardens.
Box Elder has a relatively short lifespan, typically living 60-75 years, though some specimens can survive up to 100 years in favorable conditions.
Box Elder is a dioecious tree, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate trees. In early spring, before the leaves emerge, it produces small, yellow-green flowers. Male trees bear clusters of pollen-producing flowers, while female trees develop pendulous pale green racemes, followed by large, dangling clusters of pale yellow winged seeds (samaras). These samaras often remain on the tree well into winter, providing seasonal interest and a food source for wildlife.
Unlike most maples, Box Elder has pinnately compound leaves measuring 6-15 inches long (15-37 cm), with 3-7 leaflets that resemble those of ash trees. The foliage is light green in summer and turns a dull yellow in fall.
The bark is pale gray or light brown with shallow ridges and furrows. Young stems are smooth and green, often with a waxy coating.
Box Elder thrives in USDA zones 3-9. It is highly adaptable to a range of soil types and moisture levels, tolerating periodic flooding and drought.
Box Elder produces abundant sap, which can be used to make a mildly sweet beverage. Plains Native Americans traditionally harvested its sap for syrup, a practice still followed today. However, Box Elder syrup is less sweet than sugar maple syrup.
Box Elder provides essential food and shelter for various wildlife species. The seeds (samaras) are a valuable food source for many bird species, including finches and grosbeaks, as well as small mammals like squirrels and chipmunks. These seeds often persist into winter, offering sustenance when other food sources are scarce.
In addition to its seeds, Box Elder serves as a secondary browse species for mule deer and white-tailed deer, particularly in the fall. Young saplings and twigs may be browsed by deer and rabbits, making it an important part of the woodland food web.
The tree plays a crucial role in supporting pollinators and insects. Its flowers provide an early-season nectar source for bees and other pollinators, while its foliage serves as a host plant for the larvae of the Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis).
Box Elder also attracts butterflies and serves as a habitat for various insects, which in turn provide food for insectivorous birds. Its broad canopy and dense foliage offer nesting sites and shelter for birds and small mammals, making it a vital tree for wildlife-friendly landscapes. Trees That Invite Wildlife to Your Garden.
Box Elder is moderately drought-tolerant once established, though it thrives best in moist environments.
Young trees are susceptible to browsing by deer and rabbits, though mature trees have some resistance.
Box Elder seeds contain hypoglycin A, a toxin that can cause seasonal pasture myopathy in horses. The tree is not considered toxic to humans.
Box Elder is considered invasive in some regions due to its rapid growth, prolific seeding, and ability to outcompete native vegetation. It has been widely planted in non-native areas of North America, Europe, and Asia, where it regenerates freely and spreads, particularly in riparian zones and urban landscapes. While it is invasive in much of its introduced range, its overall impact is generally not severe. In the temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere, its spread is more limited.
Find where Box Elder is invasive in the United States.
Plant in early spring or fall when the weather is cool and the soil is workable.
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
3 - 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Sapindaceae |
Genus | Acer |
Common names | Box Elder, Maple |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, California, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Montana |
Tolerance | Drought, Clay Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
3 - 8 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Trees |
Plant Family | Sapindaceae |
Genus | Acer |
Common names | Box Elder, Maple |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Height | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Spread | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Native Plants | United States, Maine, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Northeast, California, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Arkansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Montana |
Tolerance | Drought, Clay Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage |
How many Acer negundo (Box Elder) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Acer negundo (Box Elder) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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