Plant guide

Box elder.

Acer negundo

Pronounced AY-ser ne-GUN-doh

Also known as Ash-leaf Maple, Ash-leaved Maple, Box-elder, Ashleaf Maple, Box Elder, Box-elder, Ash-leaved Maple, Boxelder, Boxelder Maple, California Boxelder

The box elder is a fast growing, hardy maple that is quite adaptable to various soil conditions. It is often found near streams and rivers in the wild. Its unique compound leaves set it apart from other maples.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15 to 20 meters
Growth rate: fast
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 9
Bloom time: Early spring

Care

This tree is tough and requires little intervention once established. Keep an eye out for box elder bugs which are attracted to the tree, and prune away dead or crossing branches to maintain a healthy structure.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells to keep the root zone consistently moist.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth appears.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to avoid heavy sap bleeding.
Repotting: Repot young trees every few years if grown in containers to refresh the soil.
Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -35 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%

How to identify it

Compound leaves with three to five leaflets
Green twigs with a waxy bloom
Light gray bark with shallow furrows
V-shaped samara fruit wings
Opposite leaf arrangement on branches

Height: 10 to 20m
Spread: 8 to 15m
Leaves: green, yellow, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, green, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: tan, brown, Autumn

Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: Spring, Autumn

Science

Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Acer
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Is your box elder looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.