Acer platanoides

Norway maple is a native European tree commonly cultivated in countries and regions with harsh winters. It is one of the most common street and park in Czech and Slovak republics. Its tolerance against pollution, low winter temperatures, and vigorous growth made it a useful tree for almost all places where rapid growth is required for screening and as a noise barrier.

Leaves or Norway maple are deciduous, 10-15 cm across, broadly palmate, green in summer and turning mostly golden orange and bright yellow in autumn. In some locations where soil pH is lower they take on deep burgundy red shades at first, turning scarlet red later, and finally changing to typical yellow. In spring appear upright clusters of small, yellow-green flowers.

It grows fast forming a densely branched, rounded crown that may become somewhat ovate when mature. Pruning is usually not required. Still, in narrow streets pollarding is quite common: in late autumn or winter all branches are cut off, leaving only a small head at the top of the trunk. Such action will encourage rapid and vigorous growth of new branches with large leaves and the tree is easily maintained much smaller.

Norway maple grows in any well-drained soil in full sun and is fully hardy to -40°C (USDA zone 3). Lower pH will ensure richer autumn colouring. Pest and disease free.

Last update 04-08-2014