PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 6

Acer platanoides - Norway Maple

Plant Viewer
Norway Maple is a large shade tree most suited for open spces and landscapes. The leaf is large, 4-7 inches wide, and has five lobes.
Fall color is a mix of brown and yellow. Norway Maple produces an abundance of seeds and, as a result, new Maple starts can run rampant around the tree if not removed. Image: Andrew Butko

Plant Description

has become one of the most over-used trees in the modern landscape due to its hardy constitutions, quick growth and that it is fairly pest free. It is a large shade tree (40-60 feet tall and wide) with a round form and dense branching habit. The canopy casts very deep shade, and will often cause the grass beneath the tree to thin due to a lack of sunlight. The bark is unremarkable and has a series of tight and shallow ridges and furrows. It is grey-brown in color.

The leaves are large, 4 to 7 inches long and wide, and are arranged oppositely on the stem. The petiole is also long and can reach up to 4 inches long. They have five lobes, the middle three being the largest and similar in size. The margin of the leaves is smooth, though rippling of the leaf edge can make the margin appear to be slightly undulate. The leaf is dark green and glossy. Fall color is yellow, but it is often less than impressive. The glossy samaras are 1.5 to 2 inches long and are arranged in just slightly less than a straight line.

Despite its many admirable qualities, there are some important drawbacks to the Norway Maple. It can become invasive due to its many seedlings that grow up around it, and removing these seedlings is a constant maintenance task. It also has a shallow root system which will buckle sidewalks and interfere with lawn.

Landscape Use

It is an excellent shade tree and is a suitable selection for larger residential lots as well as commercial projects. Because of its shallow root system it should not be used in parking strips or as parking lot trees.

Points of interest

Verticillium wilt can be a problem. While it is currently free from any major pest population, the over-use of Acer platanoides is likely to lead to decimation of the population by some disease or insect in a similar manner to what was seen with both the Elm and Ash.

Notable Cultivars

Crimson King Extremely popular due to its rich maroon colored leaf. It may experience some leaf scorch during the middle of summer here. It reaches 40-50 feet tall.


Emerald Queen Emerald queen has a good upright oval form and dark green leaves. It has a good yellow fall color. Reaches 50 feet high.


Drummondii A variegated variety with light green leaves with creamy margins. Reaches 35 feet high.


Columnar An upright branching tree that forms a dense column of foliage. It can reach as high as 50-60 feet tall, with a spread of 15-20 feet.


Globosum A strange looking tree that has a very formal globular canopy. It looks as if it has just recently been pruned to shape. Much smaller than the regular species (15 feet tall) and also slower growing.


Parkway Another upright form of Norway Maple, though not as pronounced in form as Columnar, it reaches only 40 feet tall with a spread of 25 feet wide.