Boxelder (Manitoba Maple)
Characteristics
Height and Spread Boxelder or Manitoba Maple trees can grow 9 to 18 metres in height and may have a crown width of 9 to 18 metres.
Hardiness Zone 2
Preferred growing conditions Grows best in full to partial sunny sites in moist, well-drained soils. Can tolerate drought and shade.
Form The tree has a short crooked trunk that divides into branches that irregularly grow upward and outward.
Flower/seeds Depending if it is male or female; the boxelder may have tiny clusters flower-topped stalks (female) or a series of flowers blooming from a single stalk (male). Flower colour may be yellow-green to red-orange. Flowers produce tanned, winged seed pods.
Leaf Mature leaves are pointed light green leaves that can have three lobes. The leaf’s size may be between 7 and 15 cm in length.
Bark/wood Gray to brown bark with shallow ridges.
Fruit Not applicable
Pruning Prune to keep shape and remove damaged limbs. Sterilize pruning saws and shears with methanol (gasline anti-freeze) between cuts and between trees.
Problems (Disease/Insects)
Stem decay and boxelder bugs (maple bugs).