Acer negundo
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- AY-ser neg-UN-doh
- Description
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Boxelder is a deciduous tree in the maple family (Sapindaceae) and has the greatest range of all the maples. In North Carolina, it grows from the upper coastal plain into the piedmont and mountain regions. It is dioecious, having both male and female trees; the male trees are more prized because they are less messy. It is fast growing so has weak, brittle wood. Its leaves are pinnately compound and there are often 3 leaflets present resembling poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Boxelder tolerates most levels of light except shade, prefers moist locations, often found along waterways, flood plains and wooded areas. It is relatively short-lived, can be weedy. It has little commercial value other than as a pulp tree.
Family name Sapindaceae (formerly Aceraceae)
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Boxelder bugs eat seeds on female trees but cause little other damage; borers. Anthracnose, powdery mildew, and canker. Weak branches break in high wind or heavy snow load. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests.
Quick ID Hints:
- Opposite, odd-pinnately compound leaves with 3-5 leaflets (different than other maples)
- 2-4 inches long, lobed, serrated leaves
- Bright green leaves
- 30-50' deciduous tree, spread usually equal to height.
VIDEO created by Grant L. Thompson for “Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines for Landscaping” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurea'
- 'Flamingo'
- 'Kelly's Gold'
Shorter, highly branching with golden foliage - 'Variegatum'
- 'White Lightning'
Yellow stems, winter interest - 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Flamingo', 'Kelly's Gold', 'Variegatum', 'White Lightning', 'Winter Lightning'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
- 'Flamingo'
- 'Kelly's Gold'
Shorter, highly branching with golden foliage - 'Variegatum'
- 'White Lightning'
Yellow stems, winter interest - 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Flamingo', 'Kelly's Gold', 'Variegatum', 'White Lightning', 'Winter Lightning'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acer
- Species:
- negundo
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The sap has a high sugar content and can be used to produce a syrup, known as mountain molasses. The cambium was used for food by Native Americans, who also boiled down the sap for syrup. The inner bark was used medicinally to induce vomiting. For ceremonial painting, charcoal was used from the new branches. The tree is used to make pulp for paper.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and North America
- Distribution:
- Across the US
- Wildlife Value:
- Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed. Attracts bird and butterflies. The young plants are a food source for deer. Birds and small mammals eat the seeds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Edible fruit
- Pieces Used in Games
- Screening
- Shade
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wind Break
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Irregular
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Samara, appearing in September or October, 1 - 1 ½" long almost twice as long as other maples. Greenish-yellow initially, brown finally; fruit persists into winter and is not particularly attractive. Pairs of samaras are grouped in clusters; 60 degree angle between each pair.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- Dioecious. Male trees have more attractive flowers - yellow-green corymbs, early bloomer. Blooms March-April.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Opposite, pinnately compound, 3-5 leaflets (can be 7-9), ovate or lanceolate, 2-4" long, serrated, lobed, bright green leaflets. Petiole is 2-3" long. The underside of the leaf is lighter in color and pubescent. Fall color is not showy.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Round
- Bark Description:
- Similar to that of an ash tree, composed of marrow-brown, rounded, interlocking ridges.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Bud Terminal:
- Cluster of terminal buds
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Encircles a bud
- Stem Description:
- New growth is lustrous green. Older stems are green to reddish to brownish, waxy covering that can be scratched or rubbed off, leaf scars surround stem. Terminal buds whitish and hairy.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Edible Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Shade Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Pollution
- Problems:
- Messy
- Short-lived
- Weedy