Norway Maple – Acer platanoides

Common Name: Norway Maple

Scientific name: Acer platanoides

Introduction: The Norway Maple is a deciduous, non-UK Native tree that is native to Northern Europe. They are often grown as street or ornamental trees and can reach heights up to 25m.

Identification

Leaves: Dark-green compound (palmate) leaves with five lobes that have little pointed teeth. In the autumn, these fade to a rich yellow and sometimes red before dropping. The leaf petiole is long and when broken releases a milky substance.

Buds: Individual buds are green and red.

Bark: Grey with fine ridges.

Form: Norway Maple trees form a dense canopy and can grow to be 25m tall.

Reproduction:

The Norway Maple flowers are in corymbs which means they grow in clusters and are a yellow to yellow-green colour.  These female flowers get pollinated by insects and turn into samaras. These samaras form a flat to a slightly convex head and drop in autumn and are then distributed by the wind.

Growth Habit:

Medium to large-sized trees. Shoots are originally green but develop into a pale-grown colour.

Interesting Facts:

Norway Maples were introduced to the UK in the 17th century. They were also introduced to North America in the 20th century, but due to the trees coping well with pollution and shade, they have often been found ‘outdo’ the North American native sweet maple and have gained the reputation of being an ‘invasive’ species.