How to identify Box elder (Acer negundo)

How to identify Box elder (Acer negundo)

Box elder, also known as Maple ash, Manitoba maple

Box elder is a medium-sized, deciduous tree reaching 30-50 feet (9-15 meters) in height, often with a canopy spread equal to its height. Its hallmark feature is the opposite, odd-pinnately compound leaves with 3-5 leaflets, which are unusual among maples. These leaflets are roughly 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, presenting with lobed and serrated margins, and are noteworthy for their bright green coloration. The plant exhibits dimorphism, with separate male and female trees, and is known for fast growth, which results in weak, brittle wood.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Box elder

Opposite odd-pinnately compound leaves with 3-5 bright green leaflets, unique among maples.

Male flowers with small, yellow-green corymbs blooming early in March-April.

Fruit clusters of winged achenes forming pairs at a 60-degree angle, maturing to brown.

Stem with color-changing hues, waxy coating, prominent leaf scars, and whitish hairy buds.

Trunk bark with flat-topped ridges, interlocking furrows, and grey-brown color transitioning to dark brown.

Detailed Traits of Box elder

Leaf Features

Box elder leaves are pinnately compound and opposite, featuring 3-5 (sometimes 7-9) ovate or lanceolate leaflets, each measuring 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in length. The leaflets display serrated and lobed edges and are bright green. The petiole is about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long. The underside of the leaf is lighter in color with a pubescent texture. Fall coloration is typically not showy.

Leaf Shape

Ovate

Leaf Type

Pinnate

Leaf Base

Cuneate

Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Leaf Apex

Acuminate

Leaf Margin

Serrate

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

Box elder is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate trees. Male flowers are more visually appealing, featuring yellow-green corymbs. Typically, they bloom early in the season, from March to April. These inflorescences are small, measuring about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter, forming clusters. The petals are inconspicuous although the overall affect is noticeable due to the grouped arrangement and color contrast against the branches. The flowers lack a distinct scent.

Corolla Type

Apetalous

Inflorescence Type

Raceme

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of box elder is distinguished by its various colors depending on its age. New growth appears as a lustrous green, while older stems transition from green to reddish and brownish hues. The stem has a waxy covering that can be easily scratched or rubbed off. Notably, leaf scars surround the stem, and terminal buds are whitish and hairy, making them stand out. This combination of features aids in the identification of box elder.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of box elder is a type of winged achene known as a samara. These samaras appear in clusters with each pair connected at approximately a 60-degree angle. Initially, the fruits are a greenish-yellow color, maturing to a brown tone. Each samara measures around 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in length, which is nearly double that of other maple fruits, providing a distinguishing characteristic. They emerge in the fall, around September or October, and tend to persist into the winter months. While not notably decorative, the tenacity of the fruit contributes to the identification of box elder.

Fruit Type

Samara

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Box elder and Their Similar Plants

Japanese maple vs. Box elder: What's The Difference?

A woody plant native to East Asia, the japanese maple features hand-shaped leaves with five-pointed lobes that resemble the palm of a hand. It has been cultivated for millennia in Japan for bonsai creation. Extracts from the branches and leaves of this plant are used as medicine in Chinese traditional medicine.

Red maple vs. Box elder: What's The Difference?

The red maple is a common North American tree with distinctive red leaves and flower buds. Its sap can be made into maple syrup and the wood is good for furniture. Though non-toxic to humans, the leaves are very toxic to horses. According to the U.S. Forest Service, red maple is the most common tree in eastern North America.

Norway maple vs. Box elder: What's The Difference?

The norway maple is a tree species native to Europe and West Asia. It is 20 to 30 m tall and has bright green, lobed leaves which turn yellow or red in the autumn. Introduced as an ornamental shade tree in the United States, it is now considered invasive. Outside its northern range, it can be short-lived and susceptible to disease and damage.

Silver maple vs. Box elder: What's The Difference?

Silver maple (Acer saccharinum) is one of the most common deciduous trees in the United States and southeast Canada. It is a 15 to 25 m tall, fast-growing, sun-loving tree. Its leaves have deeper angular notches between the five lobes than many other maple species. Silver maple is often found along waterways and wetlands, earning it an alternative name 'Water maple'.

Sycamore vs. Box elder: What's The Difference?

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) is a tree native to Europe and Asia. Sycamore is tolerant of wind and coastal exposure. This species is known as the sycamore maple in the United States. Sycamore wood is commercially used to make musical instruments, furniture, joinery, wood flooring and kitchen utensils.

Sugar maple vs. Box elder: What's The Difference?

Acer saccharum, commonly known as sugar maple is a deciduous flowering tree native to North America. Sugar maple's xylem sap is used for making maple syrup - a popular food condiment and sweetening agent in North America. The most notable quality of this plant is its bright leaves, which turn deep red during fall.

Field maple vs. Box elder: What's The Difference?

Field maple (Acer campestre) is a deciduous flowering plant species native to continental Europe and western Asia. Field maple grows in plains, hills and along rivers. This species is grown as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Its wood is used to make flooring and musical instruments.

Amur maple vs. Box elder: What's The Difference?

The deciduous tree of amur maple has fragrant white flowers that change into a brilliant orange-red color in autumn. It grows fast but lives long, and the flowers don’t show until the tree matures. It grows at the edges of bogs and open forests and requires just a moderate amount of maintenance.

Identify Box elder easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Box elder

Attributes of Box elder

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

10 m to 25 m

Spread

8 m

Leaf Color

Green

Yellow

Flower Size

10 cm to 20 cm

Flower Color

Green

Yellow

Fruit Color

Brown

Green

Gold

Stem Color

Green

Yellow

Brown

Leaf type

Deciduous

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Box elder

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Maples, mangos, mahogany, citrus, and allies

Family

Soapberry

Genus

Maples

Species

Box elder (Acer negundo)

Learn More About the Box elder

Distribution Map of Box elder

Box elder is native to central and eastern North America, from northern Canada to Guatemala. It grows in lowland forests, edge habitats, and disturbed areas. Box elder has been introduced worldwide and has been listed as invasive in several US states, in addition to many countries in Europe and Oceania.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Box elder

A Comprehensive Guide to Box elder How to Grow and Care for Box elder