Acer Platanoides – Norway Maple

Acer platanoides | Norway Maple Tree for Shade and Beauty

Common Name: Norway Maple
Family: Sapindaceae
Type: Deciduous tree
Origin: Native to Europe and western Asia

Plant Description:

• Height & Spread: A large tree reaching 20–30 meters in height with a wide, rounded crown

• Foliage: Broad, five-lobed leaves that resemble those of the sycamore; bright green in summer, turning golden yellow in autumn

• Flowers: Small, yellow-green flowers appear in early spring, often before the leaves emerge

• Fruit: Produces winged samaras (helicopter seeds) in pairs, spreading out at nearly 180 degrees

• Growth Habit: Fast-growing, broad-canopied shade tree

• Bark: Grey-brown, smooth in youth, becoming fissured with age

Uses:

• Urban & Street Tree: Commonly planted in cities and parks due to its pollution tolerance

• Shade Tree: Ideal for large gardens and open spaces where dense shade is desired

• Autumn Foliage Interest: Adds bold autumn color to landscapes

• Windbreak & Shelterbelt: Effective for screening and wind protection in open areas

• Reclamation & Erosion Control: Useful for restoration planting on disturbed sites

Care Instructions:

☀️ Light Requirements:

• Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade

Soil Preferences:

• Adapts to a variety of soil types including clay, loam, and sandy soils

• Tolerates urban soils, compaction, and mild drought

• Best in well-drained, moderately fertile soils

Watering:

• Water regularly during establishment (first 1–2 years)

• Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant

✂️ Pruning:

• Prune in late winter or early spring before sap rises

• Remove crossing or weak branches to maintain a strong structure

❄️ Hardiness:

• Extremely hardy

• Tolerates cold, wind, and urban conditions well