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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Boxelder (Acer negundo) is a fast-growing maple with compound leaves and paired, winged seeds. It tolerates wet and disturbed sites, but its brittle branches, seed and leaf litter, and seasonal association with boxelder bugs can make it a poor fit close to buildings. The tree and the red-and-black boxelder bug are different organisms; this guide explains how to identify each and what their traits mean for a property.
What is a boxelder?
Boxelder is a maple species, Acer negundo, native across a broad part of the United States. It commonly grows along streams, in moist bottomlands and on disturbed sites. Its ability to grow quickly in varied conditions helps it establish in places where some other trees may struggle. (Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; USDA Forest Service)
How to identify a boxelder tree
- Leaves: Opposite each other on the twig, each leaf is divided into usually three to five notched or lobed leaflets. Iowa State Extension describes typical leaflets as 2–4 inches long and 1–2 inches wide.
- Seeds: Paired winged seeds hang in drooping clusters, a familiar maple feature.
- Size: Iowa State Extension gives a typical mature height of 40–60 feet and a width of 30–40 feet. The USDA Forest Service account reports that a tree may reach 70 feet; actual size varies with growing conditions.
These field marks help distinguish the tree from the insect that shares its name. See Iowa State Extension’s boxelder profile for its regional identification details.
Is boxelder a good tree to keep or plant near a building?
That depends on the site and what you need from a tree. Boxelder can establish quickly and tolerate wet ground or disturbed soil, but its structure and litter deserve particular attention around homes, driveways and other built areas.
#1 Best Overall
Potential advantages
- It grows quickly and can be suited to challenging or moist sites.
- It can provide shade as it matures; the regional size estimate from Iowa State Extension is 40–60 feet tall and 30–40 feet wide.
Tradeoffs to weigh
- Branch strength: Boxelder wood is relatively weak and brittle, so branches can break in storms. The Forest Service describes the wood as light and soft, with low strength.
- Cleanup: Abundant seeds and falling leaves can create recurring litter.
- Useful life: Extension sources describe boxelder as relatively short-lived compared with longer-lived landscape trees, but the sources do not establish a lifespan in years.
- Seasonal insects: Seed-bearing female trees can support boxelder bugs, which may gather on sunny walls before seeking sheltered places to overwinter.
For planting guidance, the University of Florida IFAS Extension advises using boxelder only in suitable settings and interplanting it with longer-lived species when it is chosen. Its fit depends on local conditions, not just the species name. (UF/IFAS Extension)
Choosing a replacement or companion tree
There is no single best substitute for every region or property. Compare candidate trees by site moisture and soil tolerance, growth speed, mature height and spread, branch strength and storm exposure, seed and leaf cleanup, and expected longevity. If seasonal bugs are a concern, also consider whether seed-bearing female boxelders are close to the building. A local extension service or qualified arborist can help match a choice to the site.
What are boxelder bugs?
Boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) are insects, not part of the tree. They feed and reproduce on boxelder, especially female trees bearing seeds, although other maples and some other plants may also be hosts. Adults may collect on sunny exterior walls as temperatures fall, then enter through gaps to seek protected overwintering spots. Penn State Extension reports adult bugs are about 12 mm long. (Penn State Extension; National Pesticide Information Center)
Are boxelder bugs harmful to people or buildings?
They are generally a nuisance rather than a serious home-damage threat. The National Pesticide Information Center says boxelder bugs do not sting or transmit disease and are generally not known to bite, though rare defensive bites have been reported. They are not known to damage homes or cause significant plant damage. Their droppings can stain light-colored surfaces, and crushing them may produce an unpleasant odor. (NPIC, updated April 15, 2026)
Rank #3
- Fast Growth: Acer negundo d.w. (Boxelder Maple) is a fast-growing deciduous tree with heights reaching 12-24 meters and spreads of 9-15 meters at maturity.
- Adaptability: The Boxelder Maple is known for its adaptability to various environmental conditions like wet areas, drier upland sites, and full sun to partial shade. Soil and Moisture Needs: The Boxelder Maple can tolerate different soil types and growing conditions, including sandy soil with moderate watering.
- Leaf Characteristics: The compound leaves have 3-7 leaflets that are elongated with serrated margins. Color variations range from bright green to bluish-green hues.
- Flower and Seed Production: In early spring, the Boxelder Maple produces small, greenish-yellow flowers that develop into winged samaras after the flowers. The samaras are dispersed by wind.
- 0.5 oz (~375 Seeds)
How to reduce boxelder bugs around a house
Start with identification, removal and exclusion rather than assuming the tree must be cut down. The NPIC recommends the following practical sequence:
- Confirm the insect. Similar-looking true bugs exist, so check the identification before choosing a response.
- Remove bugs indoors. Vacuum or sweep them up and promptly discard the vacuum bag. NPIC says the bag may be frozen overnight.
- Wash exterior gatherings away. Water or soapy water can be used to wash bugs from exterior walls.
- Close entry points. Seal cracks and crevices; install door sweeps, garage-door seals, and screens on windows and vents.
- Reduce nearby hiding places. Clear debris and fallen seedpods near the building. If seed-bearing female boxelders are close by, consider whether they contribute to the seasonal problem. Removing a tree is a significant landscape decision, not an automatic pest-control step.
- Use pesticides cautiously. If you choose a pesticide, follow its current label and consider a lower-toxicity option first. Product choice and permitted use depend on the insect, site, timing and jurisdiction.
NPIC notes that boxelder bugs can fly up to two miles in search of shelter; that is a reported capability, not a claim that every local gathering traveled that far. (NPIC)
Rank #4
- Fast Growth: Acer negundo d.w. (Boxelder Maple) is a fast-growing deciduous tree with heights reaching 12-24 meters and spreads of 9-15 meters at maturity.
- Adaptability: The Boxelder Maple is known for its adaptability to various environmental conditions like wet areas, drier upland sites, and full sun to partial shade. Soil and Moisture Needs: The Boxelder Maple can tolerate different soil types and growing conditions, including sandy soil with moderate watering.
- Leaf Characteristics: The compound leaves have 3-7 leaflets that are elongated with serrated margins. Color variations range from bright green to bluish-green hues.
- Flower and Seed Production: In early spring, the Boxelder Maple produces small, greenish-yellow flowers that develop into winged samaras after the flowers. The samaras are dispersed by wind.
- 0.5 oz (~375 Seeds)
What boxelder means for a property
For a construction or property decision, consider the tree’s mature spread, likely branch breakage, and recurring seed and leaf cleanup before planting close to a structure. Where one already grows nearby, distinguish tree-management decisions from the simpler measures used to keep boxelder bugs outdoors: remove indoor insects, seal openings and maintain door and vent screens. Local growing conditions and, for any pesticide, the product label determine what is appropriate.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PACKAGE CONTENTS: 1 Box Elder Maple tree seedling (Acer negundo), measuring approximately 6-12 inches in height, ready for transplanting
- MATURE SIZE: Box Elder Maple trees can grow rapidly, reaching heights of 50-70 feet with a spread of 40-50 feet at maturity
- GROWING CONDITIONS: Adaptable to various soil types and moisture levels, these hardy trees thrive in USDA zones 2-9
- CHARACTERISTICS: Fast-growing deciduous trees featuring compound leaves that turn yellow in fall, suitable for shade or naturalized areas
- PLANTING GUIDE: Plant in full sun to partial shade, spacing trees 40-50 feet apart to allow for mature spread
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