Norway Maple

Acer platanoides

Leaves: Deciduous. Leaves are 4 to 7 inches wide and long with 5 lobes, sharply pointed with a few teeth along the leaf edge. Leaf color can be dark green, red or purple depending on the variety. Fall color bright yellow. Leaves exude a white, milky sap characteristic of Norway maples which may disappear in late summer.

Bark/Twigs: Gray-brown bark, smoother on younger stems, furrowed on older wood.

Flowers/Fruit: Yellow to yellow-green flower clusters bloom in spring before leaves emerge. U-shaped seeds (samaras) are 1½ to 2 inches long. Seed wings have a pinkish tint in the spring and spread out at a nearly 180 degree angle.

Mature size and shape: Large. 40 to 60 feet high by approximately ⅔ or equal width. Rounded pyramid to oval shape with a broad and spreading form. Generally symmetrical. Dense branching and foliage.

General information/special features: Plant in full sun. Grows fairly readily in a broad range of soil types from clay to sand. Not extremely drought tolerant, leaves will scorch and turn brown on very hot and dry sites. Shallow roots tend to cause bumps in lawns and sidewalks.

Landscape use and maintenance: Large, good shade tree with dense summer foliage. Medium growing rate. Average maintenance. Seeds can be messy. Often has aphids which produce a sticky coating on leaves. Easy to transplant.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 7

Family/Origin: Aceraceae – Maple. Native to Europe from Norway south.

Campus Use: Extremely common. Can be found on east side of President's Circle.