Norway Maple
Acer platanoïdes · Deciduous, Broadleaf, Hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Shade Tree, Ornamental
Variety / Cultivar
Crimson King (or similar dark-leaved cultivar like Royal Red or Faassen's Black)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4 through 7 (sometimes 8 depending on moisture). High tolerance for cold temperatures and urban pollutants.
About This Tree
A medium to large deciduous tree with a dense, symmetrical, rounded crown and spreading branches. This cultivar is known for its distinctive dark burgundy to purple foliage that maintains its color throughout the summer. It produces conspicuous yellow-green flower clusters in spring that contrast with the emerging dark leaves.
Leaf Characteristics
Opposite arrangement; simple, palmately lobed with 5 to 7 lobes; 4-7 inches across. Lobes are sharply pointed (bristle-tipped). Color is a deep reddish-purple to maroon. When the petiole (stem) is broken, it secretes a milky white sap (a key ID feature).
Bark Characteristics
Dark gray to blackish; relatively smooth on young trees, developing shallow, regular, interlacing furrows and ridges with age; does not peel like some other maple species.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Western Asia; widely naturalized in North America, where it is considered invasive in many regions.
Growing Season
Leafs out in mid-spring (often earlier than native maples); flowers in early spring (April-May) before or during leaf-out; enters dormancy in late autumn; seeds (samaras) mature in late summer.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade (needs full sun for brightest purple foliage); prefers moist, well-drained soils but is highly adaptable to various soil qualities and compact urban conditions.
Mature Size
Mature height of 40-50 feet with a spread of 30-40 feet. Growth rate is moderate. Typical lifespan of 60-100 years in urban settings.
Special Characteristics
Distinguished by its dark purple foliage and milky sap; highly tolerant of air pollution, salt, and compacted soil. However, it is often discouraged due to its invasive potential and tendency to create dense shade that prevents grass and other plants from growing beneath it.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for birds and cover for small mammals; early spring flowers provide nectar for bees and pollinators. However, it can negatively impact forest ecosystems by out-competing native maple species and altering soil chemistry.