box elder
Also known as: ash-leaved maple
A medium-sized, bushy-headed, deciduous tree. Young shoots are a purple colour and are covered in a white bloom. Leaves, comprised of 5-7 leaflets, emerge bronze-green becoming greener as they mature. In spring, male plants bear prominent pink-purple, tassel-like flowers
Scientific classification
- Species
- box elder (Acer negundo var. violaceum)
- Genus
- Acer
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Information to be completed
- Toxicity
- Trees
- Plant type
- 8-12 metres
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- Deciduous
- Foliage
- Columnar upright
- Habit
- Autumn · Spring · Summer
- Season of interest
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
box elder pictures
Distribution of box elder
Distribution map
- Native
- Introduced
- Cultivated
Source:WCVP v16 · Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew · CC BY 3.0 · Boundaries:WGSRPD / TDWG
Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Information to be completed
Quick identification of box elder
Information to be completed
box elder care guide
- Deep watering during drought, reduce water when temperature drops
- Watering
- Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Deep watering during drought, reduce water when temperature drops
Fertilizing
Deciduous tree granular feed applied once yearly at early spring
Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Remove diseased, damaged, crowded or crossing shoots and unwanted growth. Timing depends on the plant: generally late winter or early spring; plants prone to bleeding and deciduous magnolias need different timing, and deciduous azaleas and lilacs are pruned after flowering.
Propagation
Propagate by seed or grafting
Growing
Grow in a moist but well-drained soil
People also ask
Information to be completed
Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus
Pests
May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale
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