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Box elder—Acer negundo
Family Aceraceae (Maple family)

Plant identification

Box elders are deciduous trees that can grow up to 60 feet tall. They are generally fast growing but they do have a number of faults including brittleness, suckering, susceptibility to boxelder bugs, and a tendency to seed heavily. There are varieties available that provide variegated foliage, which improves their landscape quality.

Optimum conditions for growth

Boxelders are adapted to a wide range of climate zones and are native to most of the United States. They do best in full sun to part shade and with occasional deep watering. Variegated forms can burn in inland areas with hot afternoon sun.

Acer negundo 'Variegatum'
Acer negundo 'Variegatum'

Seed pods of box elder tree
Seed pods of box elder tree
© 1995 Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College of California

Pests and disorders of Acer negundo

Invertebrates

Diseases

Environmental disorders

Parasitic plants

Weeds

Vertebrates

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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