Boxelder (Acer negundo)

How much light does a Boxelder need?

Direct sun for six or more hours a day suits this tree best. It also tolerates part shade, so a spot with some afternoon cover still works. It is a fast-growing species, often reaching full size quickly once established. At maturity it stands 30-50 ft (9.1-15.2 m) tall.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

How often to water a Boxelder

Give this tree medium to wet soil moisture; it prefers conditions on the wetter side. It naturally favors moist spots, and you'll often find it along waterways, floodplains, and wooded areas. It also tolerates well-drained, occasionally dry, occasionally wet, or even poorly drained soil. This is a fast-growing tree that reaches 30-50 ft (9.1-15.2 m) tall at maturity.

• Water: Medium to wet¹

Best soil for a Boxelder

This tree tolerates a wide range of soil moisture, from well-drained to poorly drained ground. It also handles occasionally dry spells, occasionally wet periods, and poorly drained spots without trouble. Soil pH can run from 5.0 to 8.0, covering acid, neutral, and alkaline ground without trouble. It favors moist ground too, and you'll often find it along waterways and floodplains in the wild.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist, occasionally dry, occasionally wet and poorly drained^1,1,1,2
• Soil pH: pH 5–8²

Hardiness and temperature

Boxelder tolerates USDA zones 3a through 9b, a broad range that includes cold northern climates and warm southern ones. Within that zone range, it grows quickly and takes full sun to part shade. Its native range stretches from Alberta and the Yukon in the north to Mexico in the south. It also prefers medium to wet soil and often grows along waterways and floodplains.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

How to plant a Boxelder

Plant boxelder where it gets full sun to part shade, since both exposures suit this tree. Choose a site with medium to wet soil, ideally near a natural water source if you have one. USDA zones 3a through 9b all work for this species, a span that covers most of the continental US. At maturity it reaches 30-50 ft (9.1-15.2 m) tall.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

Winter care

This species' native range reaches from Alberta and the Yukon down to Mexico, spanning a wide set of climates. It also suits USDA zones 3a through 9b, which covers most of the continental US. Within that range, it keeps its fast growth rate going year after year. It also tolerates well-drained, occasionally dry, occasionally wet, and poorly drained soil.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b¹

How to propagate a Boxelder

Seed is the method used to grow new boxelder trees. This fast-growing species establishes quickly once seedlings take root. New plantings do best with full sun to part shade and medium to wet soil. It also tolerates well-drained, occasionally dry, occasionally wet, or poorly drained soil.

• Propagation: Seed³

Common problems

Boxelder bugs feed on seeds from female trees, but they cause little other damage to the tree itself. Borers are another pest that can affect this species. Diseases to watch for include anthracnose, powdery mildew, and canker. Fast growth is typical for this tree, and it tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.

• Common pests: boxelder bugs and borers^1,2
• Common diseases: anthracnose, powdery mildew and canker¹

Questions and answers

What zones can boxelder grow in?

Boxelder grows in USDA hardiness zones 3a through 9b, a wide range covering most of the continental United States. It also tolerates full sun to part shade and medium to wet soil within that range. Its native range stretches from Alberta and the Yukon south to Mexico.

Does boxelder have any common pests or diseases?

Boxelder bugs and borers are the main pests, while anthracnose, powdery mildew, and canker are the diseases to watch for. Boxelder bugs mostly feed on seeds from female trees and cause little other harm.

Is boxelder toxic to cats or dogs?

No cited source lists a toxicity status for boxelder in cats or dogs, so that isn't documented here. What is documented is that it grows as a fast tree suited to full sun to part shade and medium to wet soil.