Box Elder
Acer negundofam. Sapindaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. 262E — Acer negundo
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IOverview
Overview
Box Elder (Acer negundo) is a deciduous tree native to the eastern and central United States as well as parts of Mexico and Central America. It thrives in various soil types, including light sandy, medium, and heavy clay soils, with a preference for moist conditions. This adaptable species can be found across a wide range from Alabama to Washington, making it a common sight in many landscapes. Box Elder is known for its edible qualities, as both the inner bark and leaves are considered nutritious. The tree also produces sap that can be tapped like maple trees, though it is less sweet. One distinctive feature of Box Elder is its compound leaf structure, which consists of three to five leaflets per leaf. Another notable characteristic is its light wood, which has a hardness rating of 3-8 on the scale. Overall, this versatile tree provides both ornamental and edible benefits in diverse environments.
Quick answers
What is Box Elder?
Box Elder (Acer negundo) is a deciduous tree native to the eastern and central United States as well as parts of Mexico and Central America. It thrives in various soil types, including light sandy, medium, and heavy clay soils, with a preference for moist conditions.
What is Box Elder used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Box Elder
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Box Elder appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Elder Harmony
immunetincture
Traditional use for boosting the immune system.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Box Elder thrives in moist, well-drained soils that are light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) and prefers a soil pH between 5 and 7.8. It requires full to partial sunlight and is hardy in zones 3-8, making it adaptable to various temperate regions. For propagation, use seeds or inner bark cuttings. Water the tree regularly to maintain moisture levels, especially during dry spells. The tree can grow up to 21 meters tall, so ample space should be provided for its growth. Leaves, sap, and seeds are edible parts of the Box Elder.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-8
Habit
Tree
Mature size
21.0 m tall
Soil pH
5–7.8
For first-time growers
How to grow Box Elder for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple Box Elder tree to observe and learn from.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Box Elder sapling, garden gloves, a spade or trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring when the ground is workable and before new growth starts.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with well-draining soil; amend with compost if necessary. Ensure the area has enough space for its mature size.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young saplings directly into the ground, ensuring they are at the same depth as in their container.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for signs of stress and adjust watering accordingly.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water deeply once a week, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter before new growth starts to maintain shape and remove dead branches.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting regular watering during dry periods.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Inner barkLeavesSapSeed
Edible uses: Sweetener
Other uses:CraftingPreservativeWind breakerLumber
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 30 native
Americas2 regions
native (2)GuatemalaHonduras
Broader regions
native:Mexico Southwest, Nevada, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Southeast, Mississippi, Montana, Massachusetts, Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey
XSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Sapindaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Sapindaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
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