Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple
Acer negundo
Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple (Acer negundo) is a Colorado-native tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Box elder is weedy and brittle, best avoided in landscape settings; reseeds aggressively.
Colorado nativelow to medium water30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wideXeric / water-wise
Photos
- Photo 1: CK Kelly
- Photo 2: (c) Jody Shugart, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: "Acer-negundo-total" by Sten Porse is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 4: (c) Alice Shanks, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 5: "Biene am Eschen-Ahorn (Acer negundo)" by blumenbiene is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 6: "Acer negundo MHNT.BOT.2007.40.12" by Roger Culos is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- low
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide
- Mature form
- Irregular / open
- Spacing / clearance
- ~40 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- riparian, foothills
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Cold HardinessThe average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids and honeydew
- Verticillium wilt on some species
- Leaf scorch in hot, dry, windy sites
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply every 7–10 days through the first 2 summers. Winter water 1–2×/month October–March when soil is dry and unfrozen, winter desiccation is a top killer of newly-planted trees. Year 3: taper to 2×/month in summer, then rely on natural precipitation.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple get?
- It matures to about 30–40 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide.
- How much room does Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple need?
- Give Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple about 40 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple grow into?
- Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple typically grows into an irregular, picturesque outline that varies from plant to plant. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple hardy on the Front Range?
- Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple is hardy in USDA 2–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range. That said, it carries a cold-hardiness caution: The average low suits it fine; our real cold risk is the swings, late frosts, and intense winter sun, so wrap young trunks and give it shelter.
- How much water does Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple grow?
- Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple is a fast-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple live?
- Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple is relatively short-lived for a tree, so plan to replace it sooner than a long-lived shade tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple turn in fall?
- Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple turns yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple deer-resistant?
- No. Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Boxelder 'Sensation' Maple can be affected by aphids and honeydew and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
