Latin Name - Acer negundo
Height - 40-50 feet
Spread - 35-40 feet
Growth Rate - Fast
USDA Zone - 3-8
Drought Tolerance - High
Boxelder is common in moist areas along rivers and streams and is widespread throughout Canada and the United States. An actual maple species with atypical leaves, it is considered an inferior shade tree due to weak wood, poor structure, ragged appearance, irregular outline, pest attraction, the list goes on. Who would plant a boxelder? Actually this tree can be found in nurseries in variegated form ('Flamingo') and as an improved cultivar with outstanding red fall color ('Sensation'). Boxelder shades many a cow pasture and streambank and is quite drought tolerant once established.