Boxelder Maple
Acer negundo · Deciduous, broadleaf, native, hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species, no specific cultivar identified
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 9, demonstrating high adaptability to diverse climatic extremes
About This Tree
A fast-growing, medium-sized tree with an irregular, often multi-stemmed and spreading crown. Known for being the only maple with compound leaves rather than simple lobed leaves.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound leaves typically with 3 to 5 (occasionally 7) leaflets. Leaflets are oval to lanceolate, 2 to 4 inches long, light green in summer, with coarsely serrated or lobed margins and opposite arrangement.
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown bark with shallow furrows and flat ridges on mature trunks, becoming rough and somewhat scaly with age
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to North America, widely distributed across the United States and parts of Canada
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring, flowers in spring before leaves emerge, produces winged samaras in late summer, drops leaves and enters dormancy in autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade; highly adaptable to various soil moisture levels, tolerating both wet soils and moderate drought once established
Mature Size
Reaches a height of 30 to 50 feet with a similar or wider spread, moderate to fast growth rate, and a relatively short lifespan of 60 to 75 years
Special Characteristics
Very hardy and fast-growing, often used for quick shade or windbreaks in difficult sites, though prone to weak wood and storm damage
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites and cover for birds and small mammals; seeds are eaten by squirrels and various birds, while flowers attract early-season pollinators