Box elder
A North American maple that is mainly wind-pollinated, giving early spring pollen from male trees but little nectar. Invasive along European rivers; avoid planting.
- Nectar
- Low
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 10-20 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Box elder is native to North America and has become widespread in parks, along roadsides and on stream banks in Europe and Turkey. Male and female flowers are on separate trees, and pollination is largely by wind. Bees collect pollen from the hanging tassels of male trees, while nectar is almost absent.
Flowering
It flowers for about two weeks in March-April, just before or together with leaf-out. During this period it contributes to spring pollen along with willows and early fruit trees.
Honey and pollen
No honey is obtained from this species; the pollen is a small boost to spring brood rearing.
Note for the beekeeper
In many European countries it is monitored as an invasive alien species; it spreads quickly by seed and root suckers and displaces willow and poplar communities along streams. Planting it for bees is not recommended; native willows, which give pollen at the same time, are a better choice.