Woody > Acer > Acer negundo > Acer negundo
Acer negundo
Box Elder or Manitoba Maple
Origin: Western Canada.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A tree not worthy of planting for any reason, since if planted by the homeowner it will ensure a life of regret. Even the wood, rich in sap, is difficult to burn. Seen as a unkempt, broad spreading, weedy tree, that produces suckers and seeds in quantity at the slightest provocation. Thankfully often short lived.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Sapindaceae (Aceraceae) |
| Genus |
| Acer |
| Species |
| negundo |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 3-9 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 2 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -40 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -45 - (-10) |
| Height |
| 15 m |
| Spread |
| 12-15 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
click to expand
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| A horrible, weedy, unkempt, weak wooded, nasty tree. My apologies to the western provinces of Canada where this tree is native and is grown as an ornamental. |
| Landscape |
| None, in fact it should not be used in the landscape since the wood is very weak and limbs may come crashing down in winter storms. Cultivars may be accepted, as they are often slower growing and do not reach the size or breadth of the species. |
| Cultivation |
| Often a volunteer species in neglected fields, meadows and hedgerows where the soil is often rich. |
| Shape |
| Often broader than high; about 15 m. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Easily identifiable by its compound leaves, young twigs are covered in a blue bloom that when rubbed off reveals the smooth olive covered stems beneath. Foliage is bitterly aromatic when crushed. |
| Pests |
| Many minor infestations such as leaf miners, galling insects and aphids, unfortunately not any that affect the tree vigorously enough to ensure its demise. |
| Habitat |
| Plains of Western Canada. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Shallow fissured, grey to beige in colour. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Buds are about 5 mm long, two scaled and covered with silky hairs. |
| Leaf Description |
| Rich, almost shiny, light to medium dark green, leaves which are compound often with 7-9 leaflets to a leaf, leaves to 15 cm in length. |
| Flower Description |
| Flowers in dense clusters before the leaves emerge. |
| Fruit Description |
| Seeds held in large drooping clusters, often persisting into the winter months. |
| Colour Description |
| Pale yellow autumn colour not worthy of note. |
| Texture Description |
| Coarse, weedy textured plant. |
| Notable Specimens |
| None, but many large specimens throughout the province. |
| Propagation |
| Seed, 2-3 months at 4°C. For cultivars grafted on species rootstock. |
top