Boxelder
Acer negundo · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native Wild Type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-9
About This Tree
A medium-sized, fast-growing tree with a broad, rounded, often irregular crown. It is unique among North American maples for having pinnately compound leaves. Often found along stream banks and floodplains.
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately compound with 3 to 7 leaflets (usually 3 or 5). Opposite arrangement. Leaflets are ovate with coarsely serrated or lobed margins, resembling poison ivy in appearance. Light green in summer, turning yellow in fall.
Bark Characteristics
Pale gray or light brown. Smooth when young, becoming deeply furrowed into narrow, firm ridges with age. Inner bark may show a greenish hue.
Growing Information
Origin Region
North America (widely distributed from Canada to Mexico)
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring; flowers March to May; seeds ripen in late summer and persist into winter. Dormant in winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but is highly adaptable to wet or dry conditions; moderate drought tolerance.
Mature Size
Height: 30-50 feet; Spread: 30-50 feet; Growth Rate: Fast; Lifespan: Short (approx. 60-100 years).
Special Characteristics
Strong wood is brittle and prone to storm damage. Known for attracting the Boxelder Bug. Noted for its extreme hardiness and ability to thrive in poor soils and urban pollution.
Wildlife & Ecology
Seeds (samaras) provide food for birds and small mammals through winter. Early spring flowers support bees and other pollinators. Larval host for various moths.