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Trees

Acer negundo 'Auratum'

gold-edged box elder

A deciduous tree, to around 8m high, with pinnate leaves divided into oval-shaped leaflets that emerge bright yellow in spring, and turn paler as they mature. Small yellow-green flowers are borne in early summer, with male and female flowers produced on separate plants; male flowers appear in dense clusters and female flowers in long loose tassels. This cultivar is somewhat slower growing than the species

Other common names

box elder 'Auratum'

Synonyms

Acer negundo 'Aurea'

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Ultimate height

4–8 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

4–8 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

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 South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or 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 the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
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: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moisture-retentive, well-drained soil in sun or part shade

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or by grafting

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

Minimal pruning required; see pruning group 1. Prune from late autumn to mid-winter 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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