Purple Leaf Norway Maple
Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' · Deciduous hardwood broadleaf
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
'Crimson King', notable for its striking, deep purple-red foliage that retains its color throughout the entire growing season.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7, tolerating northern cold winters well as well as moderate summer heat.
About This Tree
A medium to large deciduous shade tree with a dense, rounded to oval crown. It features heavy branching, a strong central leader when young, and a broad, dense canopy that casts deep shade. Widely planted for its rich, contrasting purple foliage.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, opposite, palmately lobed leaves with 5 to 7 lobes and sharply toothed margins. They measure about 4 to 7 inches across, emerging a bright crimson-purple and maturing to a deep, dark maroon or almost black-purple, maintaining this color through summer.
Bark Characteristics
Dark gray to blackish-brown with shallow, regular interlacing furrows and ridges. The bark tightens and becomes firmer as the tree matures, developing a classic diamond-patterned texture.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Western Asia, though the 'Crimson King' cultivar was developed in horticultural settings.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring with dark purple foliage, produces small yellow-green flowers before or as leaves emerge, develops winged samaras in summer, and drops leaves in late autumn after turning a dark maroon or bronze.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Requires moderate watering when young to establish a deep root system, but exhibits decent drought tolerance once established. Prefers well-drained, fertile, loamy soils.
Mature Size
Expected mature height of 40 to 50 feet with a comparable spread of 40 to 50 feet. Growth rate is moderate, and it can live for 60 to 100 years under favorable urban conditions.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for its dramatic, dark foliage providing strong landscape contrast. Tolerates urban pollution, compacted soils, and heavy pruning well, though it can be susceptible to surface roots and verticillium wilt.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites and cover for songbirds within its dense canopy. The flowers offer an early nectar source for pollinators, and the winged seeds are occasionally consumed by small mammals and birds.