Overview
Introduce a robust and adaptable species to your landscape with the boxelder maple tree. This offering provides two bare-root specimens of Acer Negundo, a native North American deciduous tree celebrated for its rapid growth and unique foliage. Unlike most maples, the Boxelder features compound leaves, making it a distinctive and interesting addition to any garden or naturalized area. Growing up to 20 meters tall, it develops a broad, rounded crown, providing excellent shade and a natural habitat for various wildlife. Despite its common name, which refers to its resemblance to elder (Sambucus) and its wood historically used for box making, the Boxelder is firmly in the Maple Family (Aceraceae). These bare-root trees are an economical and effective way to establish new trees, ensuring they adapt well to their new environment and thrive for years to come. Planting a boxelder maple tree is a sustainable choice for enhancing biodiversity and creating a green oasis.
Key Benefits
The boxelder maple tree offers numerous benefits, making it a valuable addition to many landscapes. Its adaptability and unique characteristics ensure it stands out while providing practical advantages.
- Fast Growth & Shade: The Boxelder is known for its rapid growth rate, quickly developing a broad, rounded crown that provides ample shade during hot summer months. This makes it an excellent choice for new properties or areas needing quick canopy development.
- Unique Compound Leaves: Unlike most maples, the Acer Negundo boasts distinctive compound leaves, typically with 3 to 5 (or more) leaflets. This unique foliage adds a different texture and visual interest to your landscape, setting it apart from other deciduous trees.
- Wildlife Attraction: The Boxelder’s flowers and fruits (winged nutlets or samaras) provide a food source for various birds and small mammals, contributing to local biodiversity and attracting beneficial wildlife to your garden.
- Adaptability & Hardiness: This tree is incredibly resilient and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including poor or moist soils, and is generally adaptable to various climates. This makes it a forgiving choice for many gardeners.
- Erosion Control: With its usually shallow, fibrous root system, the boxelder maple tree can be effective in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, particularly in sloped areas or along waterways.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, the Boxelder requires relatively low maintenance, making it suitable for gardeners seeking a robust tree that doesn’t demand constant attention. Understanding basic boxelder tree care will ensure its longevity.
- Bare-Root Advantage: Planting acer negundo bare-root trees allows for easier establishment and typically results in a healthier root system as the tree adapts to its new environment without the shock of being transplanted from a container.
Plant Care & Growing Tips
Caring for your boxelder maple tree is straightforward, thanks to its resilient nature. These bare-root trees are designed for easy planting and establishment. For optimal growth, choose a location with full sun to partial shade. While adaptable to various soil types, the Boxelder prefers well-draining soil but can tolerate moist conditions. When planting your acer negundo bare-root, ensure the roots are spread out in the planting hole and backfill with soil, gently tamping down to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist for the first year to help establish the root system.
Once established, the boxelder maple tree is quite drought-tolerant, though regular watering during prolonged dry spells will promote healthier growth. Fertilization is generally not necessary for established trees unless soil tests indicate significant nutrient deficiencies. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring while the tree is dormant to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches and to shape the crown. While generally hardy, monitoring for common pests or diseases is part of good boxelder tree care, though serious issues are rare. Understanding boxelder maple identification can also help you recognize any potential issues early on.
Size & Details
This product includes two boxelder maple tree bare-root specimens, ready for planting. Bare-root trees offer an excellent start, allowing the root system to immediately integrate with your native soil. At maturity, the Boxelder (Acer Negundo) can reach heights of up to 20 meters (approximately 65 feet) with a broad, rounded crown, providing significant canopy cover. The leaves are opposite and pinnately compound, measuring 13-20 cm long, with 3-5 leaflets that are 5-10 cm long and 3-6 cm wide. The fruits are distinctive winged nutlets (samaras) which appear in pairs, each 2.5-4 cm long. These bare-root plants are typically dormant upon arrival and should be planted as soon as possible after receiving them for the best chance of establishment. The boxelder maple planting process is simple and rewarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How big does this Boxelder Maple Tree get? A: The boxelder maple tree (Acer Negundo) can grow up to 20 meters (approximately 65 feet) tall with a broad, rounded crown at maturity, providing substantial shade and presence in the landscape.
- Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The boxelder maple tree is an outdoor deciduous tree, best suited for landscaping, shade, and naturalized areas. It is not suitable for indoor cultivation.
- Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: The Boxelder thrives in full sun to partial shade. For optimal growth and health, aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Acer Negundo bare-root is considered a low-maintenance and highly adaptable tree. Once established, it is quite resilient to various conditions, making boxelder tree care relatively easy.
- Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: You will receive two bare-root Boxelder Maple trees. These are dormant plants without soil around their roots, which helps them adapt quickly to your native soil conditions upon planting.
- Q: When is the best time to plant a Boxelder Maple? A: The ideal time for boxelder maple planting bare-root trees is in early spring or late fall when the tree is dormant. This allows the root system to establish before the stress of summer heat or winter cold.
- Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The Boxelder Maple is very hardy and can survive cold winters. It is generally suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2-9, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates across the US.
- Q: How can I identify a Boxelder Maple? A: Key features for boxelder maple identification include its opposite, compound leaves (unusual for a maple), which typically have 3-5 leaflets, and slender, often green, twigs.
- Q: Can the Boxelder Maple attract pests? A: While generally hardy, like any tree, the Boxelder can occasionally attract pests. Good boxelder tree care practices, such as proper watering and pruning, help maintain tree health and resilience against potential issues.
- Q: What type of soil does it prefer? A: The Boxelder is highly adaptable and can tolerate a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. However, it prefers well-draining soil but can also tolerate periodically moist conditions.



















