Acer campestre 'NANUM' field maple, hedge maple
Acer
Field maple (and its varieties) is one of the most frequently planted trees in Czech urban landscapes. It is of European origin and has earned its success thanks to its high tolerance to all kinds of weather conditions as well as those brought upon by humans, and longevity. It is rated a medium-tall tree, although there are some extra-large specimens of high age located all around the globe. The cultivars are significantly smaller and are also suitable for small gardens.
Nanum is a dwarf variety of Field maple, suitable for small gardens and avenues with limited space. It grows slowly into a small tree some 2.5m tall and wide. The leaves are deciduous, deep green, with 3-5 rounded lobes, turning yellow in autumn. It naturally forms dense and many branched, rounded canopies. Owing to its dense habit it does not require pruning to look good but may be pruned any time in frost-free periods of winter, or trimmed in midsummer.
Field maple is not fussy about the soil type - it can handle anything from acidic to alkaline and wet to dry. It doesn't mind paving, salt spray, or grassing over the roots. Newly planted trees only need to be staked to the support for at least three years after planting, before they establish. Data on its hardiness vary significantly, it is commonly rated as hardy to -30 ° C, but some northerners confirm its reliability down to -40 ° C.
Last update 29-12-2008; 12-11-2021
