Norway Maple
Acer platanoide · Deciduous Broadleaf Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree / Invasive Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (may resemble 'Schwedleri' if young leaves are purplish)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 7 (sometimes 8).
About This Tree
A dense, rounded shade tree with a broad, symmetrical crown. It has a moderate to fast growth rate and is known for its heavy shade and prolific seed production.
Leaf Characteristics
Opposite arrangement, simple leaves with 5-7 lobes; lobes have long, pointed tips (hair-like). Leaves are typically dark green, turning yellow in late autumn. Petioles exude milky white sap when broken.
Bark Characteristics
Gray-brown bark that is smooth when young, becoming regularly and shallowly furrowed into long, interlacing ridges as the tree matures, creating a diamond-patterned appearance.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and Western Asia; widely naturalized and often invasive in North America
Growing Season
Leafs out in early spring, flowers in April-May before or with leaves; enters dormancy in late autumn; notable for holding green leaves longer than native maples.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, well-drained soils but is highly adaptable to various soil types and urban pollutants; moderate drought tolerance.
Mature Size
Height: 40-60 feet; Spread: 30-50 feet; Growth rate: Moderate; Lifespan: 60-150 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of urban conditions like salt and compacted soil; however, it is considered invasive in many U.S. states because it outcompetes native species. Produces 'samara' seeds with widely spreading wings (nearly 180 degrees).
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for birds and cover for small mammals. Flowers provide nectar for early-season pollinators. However, its dense shade and shallow roots often suppress native understory plants.