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Acer negundo subsp. mexicanum

Mexican box elder

A fast-growing bushy-headed, large tree about 15m tall, with a wide-spreading canopy, bright green leaves to 20cm long, composed of 3 leaflets with bright red petioles and contrasting greyish stems. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. Yellowish-green male and female flowers are produced on separate trees in spring, followed by brown winged fruits on female trees

Synonyms

Acer mexicanum

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Ultimate height

Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

Wider than 8 metres

Clay

Sand

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Sapindaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Acer can be deciduous trees or large shrubs with paired, often palmately-lobed leaves and small flowers followed by characteristic winged fruits. Many have fine autumn colour, and some have ornamental stems
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moisture-retentive, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Leaf scorch can be caused by lack of soil moisture or excessive exposure. See tree cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by grafting in late winter or by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

Pruning group 1, if necessary, from late autumn to midwinter only

Pests

May be susceptible to Acer gall mite, aphids, caterpillars and horse chestnut scale

Diseases

May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Acer leaf scorch and honey fungus

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