Acer negundo
Box Elder Maple
General
Box elder maples grow in a wide range of soil types, from clay to sand. They are commonly found in moist alluvial sites, but capable of growing in dry, droughty locations. Box elder maple is one of the less shade tolerant species of the maples, preferring full-sun, especially when young. Box Elder matures into a tree with a broad and rounded upper canopy while sustaining a shallow yet wide reaching root system. It is a fast-growing, short-lived tree with an average age of 60 years. Wood is close-grained, weak, brittle and very light. Wind-pollinated, but also valuable to pollinators.
Plant Description
Leaves are pinnately-compound with several leaflets (typically 3-5.) These characteristics also mirror ash species which can explain a second common name of the box elder maple: ash-leaved maple. This is the only native maple with a compound leaf. Leaves are opposite, with pale-colored pores. Male and female flowers are found on different individual trees with the female flowers ripening into the common maple-like winged seeds called samaras. The bark on young trees is smooth and gray/brown, and develops into a rougher appearing form with shallow fissures that have prominent ridges.
Height (ft)
60-80 (to 100)
Spread (ft)
30-40
Soil moisture
Highly variable from swamps/peat bogs up to dry ridges, but prefers moist, well-drained soils
Soil types
Tolerates a wide range of soil types, and all textures (fine/medium/coarse).
Wetland indicator
FAC
Shade tolerance
Full Sun-Part Shade
Bloom Color
Yellow-Green
Bloom Period
March-April
Fall Conspicuous
Yes
Anaerobic Tolerance
Medium
Drought Tolerance
High
Salinity Tolerance
Medium
Self-Pollinating?
No
