box elder
ExplorePlants
box elder
Acer negundo
The box elder is a fast-growing tree with bright green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. It can grow tall and provides shade for people and animals alike.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The box elder is a medium-sized tree with distinctive compound leaves, usually featuring 3-7 leaflets, making it look different from most maples. Its young branches are often bright green or purplish, and the mature bark is pale gray-brown with deep furrows.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAcer
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Box elder is sometimes called 'ash-leaved maple' because its leaves look like ash tree leaves!
It's the only maple tree with leaves divided into many small leaflets!
Native Americans once boiled its sweet sap to make sugary syrup!
This tree grows super fast, sometimes reaching its full height in just 30 years!
Special abilities
Ability
Flood Fighter
Box elder can grow in flood-prone areas, quickly recovering after water events, helping it survive harsh riverbanks.
Ability
Habitat Pioneer
Box elder can rapidly colonize disturbed soils and open spaces, helping it spread and establish new territories.
Ability
Wind Spreader
Box elder produces winged seeds called samaras that twirl through the air, helping it disperse seeds far away.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 1000-2500 cm
- Spread
- 600-1500 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Early spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eats
boxelder bug
Boisea trivittata
feeds on leaves and seeds.
eats
eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
eats the tree's winged seeds.
eats
white-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses on young twigs and leaves.
shelters
American robin
Turdus migratorius
builds nests in its branches.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Ash-leaved MapleBox Elder Maple
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Be careful around trees; watch for falling branches and stay close to an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is box elder?
1000-2500 cm
How wide does box elder spread?
600-1500 cm
How big are the flowers on box elder?
0.5-1 cm
When does box elder bloom?
Early spring
Is box elder edible?
No
Is box elder toxic?
None
What is box elder's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is box elder pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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Where to spot
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Memorial Park
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Minnesota, US
Crosby Farm Regional Park
You might spot Common Eastern Bumble Bee and Wood Nettle.
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