Description

Box elder is a common member of riparian and valley plant communities throughout much of California, especially coastal mountains from Mendocino County to Baja. It quickly grows in a rounded form to about 35 feet, rarely larger. The light green compound leaves have three to five leaflets that may be deeply lobed or serrate. The bark is light gray. The fall colors range from yellow to orange to red, making for one of the more attractive displays among California’s native trees. Box elder appreciates some summer water, though in time it becomes tolerant of summer dryness. A variety of soil conditions and sun exposures are accepted.