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Box Elder

Box Elder
Photo: Lorna Rose
Invasive Plant
Box Elder
Acer negundo
 

This fast growing green leaf form was a popular street or shade tree. It is also used as an understock for other ornamental grafted maples. Silver and gold variegated forms will also revert back to this green form. They all grow to 9 m to form deciduous shade trees, however, due to their free seeding habit, they are regarded as major bushland invaders.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • Produce masses of 'winged' seeds which are readily carried by wind.
  • Seeds germinate rapidly in gardens, guttering, gaps in paving and driveways etc.
  • Wind transfers them from garden to bushland, parks and reserves.
 

Removal of these invasive plants is both difficult and costly.

 
 
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Alternative Plants

Callery Pears
Photo: Jackie Miles
Alternative Plant Callery Pears
Pyrus calleryana 'Glen's Form' Chanticleer®
Trees and Shrubs
 

This is a superb ornamental pear with dense green foliage that turns gold, plum and burgundy in autumn. Growing to a height of 11 m, it is a popular specimen tree in parks and gardens. This species can tolerate quite dry conditions as well as intermittently wet, heavy soils.

Claret Ash
Photo: Lorna Rose
Alternative Plant Claret Ash
Fraxinus oxycarpa 'Raywood'
Trees and Shrubs
 

This sterile cultivar will grow 10 -15 m high and is an ideal specimen tree for garden or street planting. A deciduous shade tree with leaves turning stunning deep claret red in autumn. Best planted in cool areas in fertile, well-drained soil. Will tolerate dry conditions once established and prefers full-sun.

Sensation Maple
Photo: Fleming's Nurseries
Alternative Plant Sensation Maple
Acer negundo 'Sensation'
Trees and Shrubs
 

This variety is sterile and does not self seed. Growing to 9 m high with lovely bronze-burgundy growing tips that mature to medium green in summer and become bright red in winter. A beautiful shade tree once established and will tolerate heat and drought.

 
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