Acer Platanoides Norway Maple

Acer Platanoides, which is commonly known as the Norway Maple, is a large and fast-growing deciduous tree with striking autumnal foliage. Norway Maple’s five-lobed foliage emerges bright green in spring and turns a deeper shade over the summer months. It is a stunning autumnal tree when the leaves turn bright yellow and orange with hints of red. Because the leaves are so large, measuring 20 cm, the colours are particularly noticeable. It also holds the RHS Perfect for Pollinators title for its attractive sweet-smelling clusters of small yellow flowers that adorn its bare branches in racemes before leaf growth. 

During the winter months this deciduous tree holds a pleasing architectural shape that gives height to a low-growing garden. There are many varieties of Norway Maple, such as Acer Platanoides Crimson Sentry with its disctinctive red leaves throughout the growing season and Norway Maple Drummondii with variegated summer foliage. 

How Hardy Is Acer Platanoides
Acer Platanoides is native to Europe, so it is able to withstand the coldest European winters. It is frost hardy, drought hardy, and once established can tolerate temporary flooding. It is a good choice to plant near paving and is very popular for street scenes. 

How To Use Acer Platanoides
Over the course of 20 -50 years this handsome tree can grow higher than 12 metres in height and eight metres in spread. You can grow woodland plants beneath its canopy such as hellebores and ferns.  Norway Maple is wind-resistant, and makes an excellent windbreak in breezy gardens. It also deals well with pollution, so if you live near a busy road this is a good choice.  Children universally love Maple for its autumn colours and winged fruit, better known as helicopter seeds, which measure 3.5 – 4.5 cm long.

How To Care For Acer Platanoides
A Multi Stem Norway Maple will tolerate all soil types of any pH, and is a particularly good choice for chalky soils. It needs plenty of space, so it’s best to keep it away from walls with enough room to spread. 
Water Acer Platanoides regularly in the first few years as it becomes established and puts down roots. There is no need to prune this glorious tree as it maintains its own pleasing shape. 

If you are looking for a low maintenance architectural tree with vivid autumnal colours and plenty of shade in the summer the Norway Maple is a beautiful and practical choice.