Boxelder Maple
Acer negundo · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Riparian Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Common Boxelder (Wild Type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2 through 9; extremely cold-hardy and adaptable to varying climates.
About This Tree
A fast-growing, medium-sized tree with an irregular spreading crown. It is unique among maples for having compound leaves and is often found near water. Its form is often multi-stemmed or sprawling with weak wood.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound with 3 to 7 leaflets (usually 3 or 5); light green color; opposite arrangement; margins are coarsely serrated or lobed, often resembling poison ivy.
Bark Characteristics
Gray to light brown; relatively smooth on young trees, becoming deeply furrowed and ridged with age; inner bark may reveal a greenish tint.
Growing Information
Origin Region
North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico); widely naturalized in Europe
Growing Season
Flowering occurs in early spring before leaves emerge; seeds ripen in late summer to autumn and often persist through winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist to wet soils but possesses significant drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
30 to 50 feet tall and wide; growth rate is very fast; typical lifespan is relatively short (60-100 years).
Special Characteristics
Host to the Boxelder Bug; prolific seed producer (winged samaras); high tolerance for urban pollution and poor soil drainage.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides seeds for birds and squirrels; host plant for various moth larvae; provides nesting sites for cavity-nesting birds due to its tendency to develop hollows.