Yellow-twigged box elder is a hybrid deciduous small tree or large shrub in the maple family (Sapindaceae). It is very cold-tolerant and will grow in most lower 48 states. This fast-growing treel grows 20-30 feet tall and 15- 25 feet wide in a rounded multi-stemmed shrub-like form but can be trained to a single trunk if desired. It prefers full sun to partial shade in moist but well-drained soils. The yellow stems are present year-round but show up best in winter when the leaves are off. Spring flowers are followed by 2-winged samaras. The leaves turn shades of yellow in the fall. Received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Plant in groups to form a hedgerow or screen or use it in a small space as a shade tree. Will do well along ponds and streams. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids and horse chestnut scale are occasional insect problems. Powdery mildew and verticillium wilt are occasionally disease issues. See potential insect and disease problem fact sheets to the left. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common maple diseases and insect pests. More information on Acer negundo .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.