Associated Forest Cover Boxelder is most commonly found in association with bottomland hardwoods. Seed Production and Dissemination Seed crops are produced each year on individual boxelder trees beginning at 8 to 11 years of age. Ripening takes place from August to October and seeds are wind distributed continuously until spring. Seedling Development Boxelder is capable of establishing itself on a variety of seedbeds. On these sites, overstory density is apparently not a factor in early germination and survival, but seedlings begin to die off after 1 or 2 years unless openings are provided.
Germination is epigeal.
The species is short-lived, attaining an average age of 60 years but rarely 100 years. Poor sites bring a corresponding reduction in growth. Boxelder typically forms a short, tapering bole and bushy, spreading crown. Because boxelder usually appears in mixed stands and has limited commercial value, no information is available about its potential yield. Habit Boxelder usually develops a shallow, fibrous root system.