Box elder (Acer negundo)

Box elder (Acer negundo) is a tree that can grow higher than 15m tall and wider than 8 metres wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Box elder (Acer negundo).

This plant has several common names including: box elder, ashleaf maple or ash-leaved maple.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: box elder, ashleaf maple, ash-leaved maple
Scientific name: Acer negundo
Plant type: Trees
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: Higher than 15m
Spread: Wider than 8 metres
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Low Maintenance

Seasonal colors

How to plant Box elder (Acer negundo) – AnRo0002, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Trees are essential plants in gardens, large and small, with their sculptural presence.

In terms of design, they add height, structure and interest all year round with attractive flowers, foliage, fruits and trunks.

In addition, they provide home and a food source for birds and other wildlife.

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Box elder (Acer negundo), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Box elder (Acer negundo) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.

• The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.

• Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

• Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.

It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Acer negundo likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.

Sunlight

Box elder (Acer negundo) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Box elder (Acer negundo) – Nicolas Weghaupt, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons