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Similar but less problematic plants:
Acer rubrum Acer rubrum
Acer saccharum subsp. floridanum Form
Acer negundo is often confused with:
Acer griseum Young tree form.
Toxicodendron radicans poison ivy
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acer palmatum Acer palmatum
Acer saccharum form
Quercus nigra Quercus nigra
Acer negundo has some common insect problems:
Common Insect Pests of Maple in North Carolina
Acer negundo has some common disease problems:
Common Disease Pests of Maple in North Carolina

Ash-Leaf Maple Acer negundo

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
AY-ser neg-UN-doh
Description

Boxelder is a deciduous tree in the Sapindaceae (soapberry) family 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:
'Aurea', 'Flamingo', 'Kelly's Gold', 'Variegatum', 'White Lightning', 'Winter Lightning'
Tags:
#deciduous#samaras#medicinal#windbreak#buffer#nighttime garden#children's garden#playground plant#weak wood#edible fruits#pollinator plant#short lifespan#larval host plant#deciduous tree#imperial moth#weed#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Aurea', 'Flamingo', 'Kelly's Gold', 'Variegatum', 'White Lightning', 'Winter Lightning'
Tags:
#deciduous#samaras#medicinal#windbreak#buffer#nighttime garden#children's garden#playground plant#weak wood#edible fruits#pollinator plant#short lifespan#larval host plant#deciduous tree#imperial moth#weed#landscape plant sleuths course#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Irregular
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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