Acer negundo Boxelder Tree Facts & Pictures

Boxelder Fact Sheet

Family:  Sapindaceae - Soapberry Family (Previously Aceraceae - Maple Family)
Latin name:  Acer negundo
Common name:  Boxelder

General: Maple Family (Aceraceae): Boxelder is a small to medium sized tree. Most trees are either male or female, but bisexual flowers occur on some trees.
Bark: light gray-brown with shallow fissures.
Twigs: slender, shiny green, usually glabrous but sometimes hairy; new twigs are often purple/red -- often with white "bloom" that is easily rubbed off.
Buds: red or green, usually covered with fine white hairs.
Leaf scars: narrow, but nearly encircling the bud. Scars from opposite buds meet at a point. scars are raised.
Seed Production and Dissemination: Fruits are winged nutlets (samaras) in a pair, 2.5-4 cm long, clustered on long, drooping stalks. Crop production begins when trees are 8 to 11 years of age. Ripening takes place from August to October and seeds are wind distributed continuously until spring.

Please ask for permission before using my photographs. Larger sizes and additional photographs of the tree are often available.

Please ask for permission before using my photographs. Larger sizes and additional photographs of the tree are often available.