boxelder
Acer negundo
Boxelder is a common tree of generally small size and great tolerance. It is common in waste areas and is considered by some to be weed-like in nature. It can be used as a street tree in harsh urban environments and a soil stabilizer in disturbed areas.
Fall
Color.
Boxelder is used for boxes, rough construction lumber, cheap furniture and woodenwares.
Birds and squirrels eat boxelder seeds. Deer browse plant parts during the fall.
Intentional regeneration of boxelder is uncommon. It can sometimes be difficult to keep boxelder from invading sites following disturbance.
Fun facts
Boxelder has little, if any commercial use. The wood is susceptible to storm damage. Native Americans from the Plains used to make a syrup out of the sap - not so sweet as that made from sugar maple sap. Because of its compound leaves, boxelder is sometimes referred to as "ashleaf" maple.Acer
Latin name - sharp (leaves or used as lances) or Celtic "ac" (hard).
negundo
Latinized form of Malayan name - leaves resemble genus Vitex.
2004 Virginia
Tech Forestry Department, all rights reserved. Text, images, and programming
by: Dr. Jeff Kirwan, Dr. John R. Seiler, John A. Peterson, Edward C. Jensen,
Guy Phillips, or Andrew
S. Meeks.
questions, comments, and criticisms: email John.Peterson@vt.edu