Norway Maple
Acer platanoïdes · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Common Norway Maple (species type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 7; highly adaptable to cold temperate climates.
About This Tree
A medium to large deciduous tree with a dense, symmetrical, rounded crown. Noted for its aggressive growth and ability to produce heavy shade. Often used in urban planning due to its high tolerance for pollution and poor soil.
Leaf Characteristics
Leaves are simple, opposite, and 4-7 inches across with 5 to 7 lobes. Lobes have sharp points (bristle-tipped). Color is dark green in summer, turning bright yellow in autumn. A distinctive feature is the milky sap that exudes from the petiole when broken.
Bark Characteristics
Gray-brown to dark gray color. On young trees it is smooth, but it develops shallow, regular, interlacing furrows and ridges that form a diamond-patterned texture as the tree matures.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Western Asia; widely naturalized in North America.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring; flowers in April or May before or with leaves; enters dormancy in late autumn with late leaf drop.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade. Prefers moist, well-drained soil but is highly adaptable to various moisture levels and clay soils. High drought tolerance once established.
Mature Size
Mature height of 40-60 feet with a similar spread of 30-50 feet. Moderate to fast growth rate; typical lifespan of 60-150 years.
Special Characteristics
Excellent pollution and salt tolerance. Known for its 'helicopter' seeds (double samaras) spread by wind. It is considered an invasive species in many parts of the United States due to its ability to outcompete native hardwoods.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for birds and early spring nectar for bees from its yellowish flowers. However, its dense shade often creates ecological 'dead zones' beneath the canopy where native understory plants cannot grow.