boxelder (Acer negundo)

First place champion variegated boxelder (Acer negundo ‘Variegatum') in Denver.

Species info:

Leaves: Pinnately compound; young foliage emerges reddish-orange, maturing to light green; fall color orange to red.

Leaflets: Typically 3–5 per leaf; ovate with serrated margins.

Leaf Surface: Smooth and soft when young; becoming slightly firmer as leaves mature.

Bark: Gray, shallowly furrowed; becomes slightly more textured with age.

Twigs: Light brown, smooth; opposite arrangement typical of maples.

Flowers: Small, male flowers produced in early summer; not showy

Fruit: A drooping double-winged samara, which readily germinates; ‘Sensation’ is a seedless male cultivar

Botanical: Acer negundo

Family: Sapindaceae

Mature Height: 30–50 feet

Canopy Spread: 25–40 feet

Foliage Type: Deciduous

Tree Shape: Pyramidal when young; becoming more elliptical with maturity; strong central leader with right-angle branching

Growth Rate: Fast

Fall Color: Orange to red; very showy

Water Use: Low to moderate; highly tolerant of drought once established

Hardiness: Zones 4–6

Soil Preference: Adaptable to a wide range of soils, including high-pH and alkaline soils; performs well in compacted urban soils

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Wildlife Value: Moderate—flowers provide early-season pollen; male cultivar does not produce seeds or samaras

Wood: Light, soft wood typical of boxelders; not widely used commercially

Pests/Pathogens: Female trees attract boxelder bugs, which are a nuiscance pests as they frequently come into homes. Otherwise generally pest free.

Planting Recommendations: This Colorado native is recommended for most areas, with ‘Sensation’ being the preferred cultivar for when boxelder bugs are a concern

Information Sources:

• Front Range Tree Recommendation List

• Michael Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (University of Georgia, 1990)