Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000024
11/12/99
Acer negundo--Boxelder
Hardiness Zones: 2 to 9
Height: 50 ft Spread: 50 ft Form: rounded
Type: deciduous tree
Annual Growth Rate: more than 18 inches
Comments: The Boxelder is an undesirable tree and in some
cities it use may be illegal. Use the tree temporarily
for its fast growth until it can be replaced by slower
growing, but longer lasting trees. The undesirable
characteristics are weak wood and susceptibility to
Boxelder bug. The insects do no real harm but are
considered nuisances overwintering in homes. Female
Boxelders are preferred by the insects. On adverse sites,
Boxelder will grow when more desirable trees will not.
The fall color is yellow but is not highly ornamental.
The tree is infrequently listed in catalogs as Ash-leaved
Maple.
Cultivars: The cultivars of boxelder are more ornamental
but still share some of the tree's bad characteristics.
'Baron' - A Morden Station, Canada selection. This is
a male selection that is reportedly free of seed.
'Flamingo' - The green leaves are variegated with white
and pink (Vis. 1) and the new growth is pink in the
spring. Give the plant full sun for best color.
'Kelly's Gold' - The leaves are yellow all summer. These
15-foot plants should be grown in filtered sun.
'Sensation' - Slower growth than the species with
improved branch structure and a good red fall color
display. A rounded tree (Vis. 2) reaching a height of
30 feet and spread of about 25 feet.
'Variegatum' - An oval to rounded tree with a height
and spread of about 25 feet. The fruits and leaves
are green with white variegations.
var. violaceum - This 30 feet tree produces long
clusters of maroon flowers in the spring. The new
shoots are maroon.
References for Cultivars: Iseli Nursery 1999, J. Frank
Schmidt and Sons 1999, Bailey Nurseries 1999, Weston
Nurseries 1999, Monrovia Nursery Company 1997, Gee Farms
1999, Willoway Nurseries 1999.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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