Extension Forestry
Boxelder - Acer negundo
Leaves are opposite compound.
The boxelder is a fast growing , wide spreading, short stemmed tree of irregular
shape. It is of medium size and under favorable conditions it attains
a height of 50 to 80 feet and a diameter of 24 inches. However, it
is a rather short-lived tree, is quite brittle or fragile and is of little
value. Because of its rapid growth on good soils, it has been planted
frequently for shade and ornamental purposes in areas where other trees do
not grow well. It is found over most of the eastern United States as
far west as Montana, Utah and Arizona. In Iowa, it is found mostly
on moist bottomlands and along streams except where it has been planted on
higher land.
The compound leaves have three to five notched or lobed leaflets, 2 to 4
inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. They are dark green above and lighter
green below.
The winged seed is similar to the other maples but occurs in drooping
clusters which mature in the fall and remain on the tree for several months.
The twigs are green to purplish, covered at first with bluish white
bloom and later becoming smooth and shiny. The branching is opposite.
The finely ridged bark is grayish to dark brown in color sometimes
with a greenish tinge.
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Contact: Paul Wray
Last Update: January, 2001
