Boxelder Maple
Acer negundo · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree and Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Wild type species (Acer negundo var. negundo)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 9, demonstrating high adaptability to a wide range of climatic extremes.
About This Tree
A medium-sized, fast-growing deciduous tree with a somewhat irregular, rounded, or spreading crown. Often develops multiple trunks and a somewhat messy branching habit. Known for rapid growth and ability to colonize disturbed areas.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound leaves, usually featuring 3 to 5 (sometimes 7) leaflets. Leaflets are ovate to lanceolate, roughly 2 to 4 inches long, with coarsely serrated or lobed margins and a bright medium-green color that turns dull yellow in fall. Leaves are arranged oppositely on the stems.
Bark Characteristics
Light grayish-brown to dark gray bark that develops deep, narrow furrows and ridges with age. Often features patches of greenish-yellow lichen and can have rough, corky textures on older branches.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, widely distributed across the United States and parts of Canada.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring, produces inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers alongside new leaves in spring, sets winged samara fruits in late summer, and drops leaves to enter dormancy in autumn.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Highly adaptable to various moisture levels, tolerating both moist soils near streams and dry conditions once established.
Mature Size
Expected mature height of 30 to 50 feet with a comparable spread. Fast growth rate with a relatively short lifespan of 60 to 75 years.
Special Characteristics
Remarkably tough and resilient, tolerating urban pollution, poor soil, and heavy pruning. However, it is structurally weak, prone to storm damage, and susceptible to various insect pests and fungal diseases.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites and cover for various birds and small mammals. The seeds are eaten by squirrels, finches, and other wildlife, while the sap attracts insects and woodpeckers.