VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Acer negundo | Boxelder 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
Boxelder is not a desired timber species because its wood is light,
soft, close grained, and low in strength [27,41,45].  The wood is used
locally for boxes and rough construction [27], and is used occasionally
for cheap furniture and woodenware.  Boxelder was once used for posts,
fencing, and fuel but the soft, spongy wood generally makes poor
firewood [40].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Riparian boxelder communities provide important habitat for many
wildlife species and protect livestock from temperature extremes in
summer and winter.  Many species of birds and squirrels feed on the
seeds of boxelder [23,40,46].  Mule deer and white-tailed deer use it in
the fall as a browse species of secondary importance [37].  This tree
may be poisonous to livestock [9].


PALATABILITY : 
Palatability of boxelder has been rated as follows [9]:

                       UT     WY     MT     ND

Cattle                poor   poor   poor   poor
Sheep                 poor   poor   poor   poor
Horses                poor   poor   poor   poor
Elk                   poor   fair   ----   ----
Mule deer             poor   good   poor   poor
White-tailed deer     ----   fair   poor   poor
Pronghorn             poor   poor   ----   poor
Upland game birds     fair   fair   ----   ----
Waterfowl             poor   fair   ----   ----
Small nongame birds   fair   fair   fair   ----
Small mammals         fair   fair   ----   ----


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
The nutritional value of boxelder is low for livestock, with fair energy
value, poor protein value, and suspected toxicity [9].


COVER VALUE : 
Boxelder provides valuable cover for wildlife and livestock, especially
in the Great Plains region where quality cover is often lacking.  The
degree to which this species provides environmental protection during
one or more seasons for wildlife species is as follows [9]:

                              UT     CO     WY     MT     ND

Elk                          ----   poor   ----   poor   ----
Mule deer                    fair   ----   good   good   fair
White-tailed deer            ----   ----   good   good   good
Pronghorn                    poor   ----   poor   ----   poor
Upland game birds            fair   ----   good   good   ----
Waterfowl                    poor   ----   poor   ----   ----
Small nongame birds          good   good   good   good   ----
Small mammals                fair   good   fair   fair   ----


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Growth of boxelder is poor on saline, sodic, sodic-saline, and most
acidic soils; it is not recommended for use in rehabilitation of
disturbed sites.  This tree's potential for erosion control and for
long-term revegetation is low to medium [9].

In California, Arizona, and parts of Nevada and New Mexico, boxelder is
one of many native species used for revegetating flood control basins to
provide quality wildlife habitat [13].  In the southeastern United
States where soil moisture (or inundation) is likely to be excessive for
several weeks at a time, boxelder is one of the favored flood-tolerant
species recommended for recreation plantings.

Boxelder is propogated by seed.  Guides for seed collection, treatment,
and cultivation are available [7,39,44,53].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Boxelder, first cultivated in 1688 [39], is often held in low regard as
an ornamental tree in cities.  Its limbs are brittle and break easily;
its trunk is susceptible to rot and infested with boxelder bugs, which
make their way into houses with the arrival of cold weather.  The leaves
turn a dull yellow and fall untidily over a long period, as do the
winged seeds, giving this species the reputation of being a "dirty tree"
[27,31,52].  However, because of its fast growth and drought and cold
hardiness, boxelder is popular in rural communities for street and
ornamental plantings; and for shelterbelts.

Boxelder's abundant sap contains a large proportion of sugar as well as
mucilaginous and demulcent properties, and can be made into a pleasant
beverage [22].  The Plains Indians used the sap as a source of syrup,
and it is still used today, but the product is not as sweet as sugar
maple syrup [31].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Boxelder is susceptible to mechanical damage by livestock in northern
Great Plains wooded draws [4].  This tree is also easily storm damaged;
its weak branches often break off in the wind, but the trunk is wind
firm [47].

Boxelder is easily injured by heartrot, fire, and insects.  It is often
infested with boxelder bugs which feed on the tree but rarely kill it
[40].

Related categories for Species: Acer negundo | Boxelder