Boxelder Tree Information - Learn About Boxelder Maple Trees

Boxelder maple tree facts tell us that these trees have brittle, weak wood. That means that the trees break easily in wind and ice storms. In addition, boxelder maple tree information confirms that the tree seeds, found in winged samaras, germinate very easily. This can make them a nuisance in a private garden.

How do I identify a boxelder tree?

Boxelder Tree

Native.
Deciduous.
A small to medium size occasional tree.
Height of about 65-75′ and a trunk diameter of 3′ (often smaller)
Enjoys full sun.
Leaves are opposite, pinnately compound 2-3″ long usually with 3-7 leaflets.
Dioecious.
Flowers are drooping racemes.

Are Box Elders good trees?

Plus, they make GREAT climbing trees. It's also important to point out that a box elder on an ideal site with good moisture and soils can grow to be a really nice specimen tree with a strong central trunk and almost spherical crown. t they are absolutely crucial to the ecosystem as a whole.

What type of tree is a Box Elder?

Boxelder (Acer negundo) is a native, fast-growing maple tree, found throughout Minnesota except for the far northeastern corner of the state . It is most common on river floodplains and along lakeshores and streams, but also grows in young hardwood forests.

What are boxelder trees good for?

Common Uses: Turned objects, small ornamental objects, wood pulp, charcoal, boxes, and crates. Comments: Sometimes called “Ash-leaved Maple” because of its non-typical leaves, (see below), Box Elder is technically considered a maple tree (Acer genus).

How long does a boxelder tree live?

Average longevity is about 60 years; maximum longevity is rarely more than 100. Boxelder is tolerant to stressful sites and requires little special care, but it is relatively short-lived and the branches of older trees are susceptible to ice and wind damage.

How do you prune a boxelder tree?

Mark any branches on larger trees that will extend beyond the desired growth area you've determined for the tree. Cut the branches back so the next season's growth will not go past your boundaries. Use a pruning saw with an extension for taller branches. Use several cuts to remove long branches in sections.

Are box elder trees bad?

Its weak wood and bad habit of growing as a multi-stem clump means it breaks easily and often. It apparently makes up for this character flaw by having the fastest growth rate of any maple. Though much maligned, boxelder does have some interesting features.

How hard is Box Elder?

Typically, boxelder wood is gnarly, twisted and tough to split. The wood is very heavy when it's wet and almost as light as balsa wood when it's dry.

Are box elder trees poisonous to dogs?

The top five trees poisonous to large animals are the red maple, oak, box elder, chokecherry and black walnut. ... Careful attention must be paid to animals pastured close to these trees, and every effort must be made to prevent access.

Is Box Elder good for firewood?

Box elder is a low density hardwood that burns more like a softwood. Box elder firewood is mediocre at best. It burns fine but it burns quickly. Box elder firewood is good for starting fires and makes decent kindling. ...

Is Box Elder a type of maple?

Boxelder is actually a maple tree. This native tree, while very cold hardy, is not widely sold due to its ability to self-seed aggressively. It also attracts boxelder bugs which often enter homes in fall.

Are box elder trees invasive?

But as the naturalist John Eastman wrote in a delightful volume titled The Book of Forest and Thicket, the box elder "is often regarded as a weed tree because of its prolific sprouting and its tendency to lean, shed branches and generally ignore human standards for an attractive tree." Some states consider it an ...

Do boxelder bugs come from boxelder trees?

The name comes from the fact that they're commonly found on or near boxelder trees. Box elder bugs subsist almost exclusively on acer species tree seeds, including those of the maple, ash, and (of course) box elder trees.

Do boxelder trees have helicopters?

Boxelder, the exception, has compound leaves. All four species have samara fruits commonly referred to as "helicopters".

What kills boxelder trees?

Mature Trees

Herbicide containing imazapyr is the most effective on a girdled, frilled or perforated boxelder. Herbicide containing picloram is somewhat less effective for killing the tree.

Do birds eat boxelder bugs?

Spiders and predacious insects may eat boxelder bugs, too. For farmers or homesteaders, chickens, ducks and guinea hens may be the answer. These birds eat a large number of insects daily, so boxelder bugs may be a tasty treat, especially if other food is limited.

How big does a boxelder tree get?

A boxelder in the landscape grows to a height of 25 to 50 feet, depending on tree variety and site conditions. One of the tallest ever measured had a recorded height of 110 feet. The tree's crown spread is 25 to 45 feet and the crown is typically broad and ragged or disheveled.

Is Boxelder a hardwood?

Speed up the rpm rate when drilling boxelder, even though it's a hardwood. With thick wood or large-diameter bits, raise the bit occasionally to clear out chips and reduce the chance of burning. And use a backing board to avoid tearout of this comparatively brittle wood.

Where are boxelder trees found?

Box elder, also called ash-leaved maple, (Acer negundo), hardy and fast-growing tree, of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to the central and eastern United States. Introduced to Europe, it is widely cultivated there as an ornamental.

What do boxelder bugs eat?

Boxelder bugs feed mainly on boxelder tree seeds and newly developing leaves, which may result in discoloration of the foliage. They will also occasionally feed on the fruits of plum and apple trees.

What do Box Elder leaves look like?

The leaves of Boxelder are odd-pinnate with three to five leaflets. The leaves are up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long. The leaf color is green to white-colored. The leaf margin is serrated.