Field maple

Sun

Full sun or partial shade; develops a denser crown and better autumn colour in sun.

Water

Water regularly while establishing. Established trees tolerate moderate drought, but prolonged dry conditions can scorch leaves.

Soil

Well-drained clay, loam, chalk or sandy soil; prefers moderately fertile ground. Tolerates alkaline soil and some compaction, but not persistent waterlogging.

Height

30-50 ft (9-15 m)

Spread

25-40 ft (7.5-12 m)

Flowers

Small yellow-green flower clusters in spring, opening with the leaves.

Foliage

Opposite, dark green leaves with three to five blunt lobes, turning yellow in autumn. Broken leaf stalks release milky sap; young branches sometimes develop corky ridges.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Wildlife

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   7 ft (2 m)

2. After 1 year

   8 ft (2.5 m)

3. After 2 years

   10 ft (3 m)

4. After 3 years

   11 ft (3.5 m)

5. After 5 years

   15 ft (4.5 m)

About 20 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the UK

Invasive in

the US

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant with the root flare at soil level, allowing space for the mature crown.
• Water deeply during dry spells for the first two growing seasons; avoid keeping the root zone constantly wet.
• Spread organic mulch 2-3 in (5-8 cm) deep over the root area, keeping it clear of the trunk.
• Do not feed routinely; apply fertiliser only if poor growth or a soil test indicates a deficiency.
• Stake only if the root ball moves in wind, and remove the support once the roots hold it securely.
• Pull unwanted seedlings while small, especially near woodland or natural areas.

Pruning. Prune established trees lightly in late summer to early autumn, removing crossing branches and preserving a balanced framework; avoid heavy spring pruning because cuts can bleed sap. Clip hedges in summer after checking for active bird nests.

Autumn

Plant while the soil is workable and moist; in very cold climates, plant in spring instead.

Late winter

Check stakes and ties for rubbing or constriction, and remove unnecessary supports.

Spring

Renew mulch without piling it against the trunk, and remove unwanted seedlings.

Summer

Water young trees deeply during dry weather and clip hedges after checking for nesting birds.

Late summer

Carry out light corrective pruning on established trees if needed.

Late autumn

Gather fallen leaves for leaf mould; dispose of heavily diseased foliage rather than leaving it beneath the tree.

• Grow as an informal shade tree in a medium or large lawn, allowing room for its broad crown.
• Clip into a dense boundary hedge for a formal garden or rural property.
• Combine with hawthorn and hazel in a mixed hedgerow for shelter and wildlife habitat.
• Underplant the open edge of its canopy with spring bulbs and shade-tolerant perennials for seasonal interest.

Garden styles it suits: English country, Traditional, Woodland, Wildlife garden, Native hedgerow and Autumn colour.

Plant it with: Common hawthorn, Common hazel, English bluebell, Wood anemone, Hardy cyclamen and Male fern.

Wildlife: Spring flowers provide pollen and nectar for insects. Leaves support caterpillars and other insects, while dense hedges and mature crowns provide shelter and nesting sites for birds.

• Aphids can cause curled leaves and sticky honeydew: tolerate light infestations, encourage natural predators and rinse reachable foliage with water if necessary.
• Powdery mildew may coat leaves in dry summers: avoid drought stress and improve airflow; established trees rarely need treatment.
• Verticillium wilt can cause sudden branch dieback: seek a diagnosis, remove dead branches and avoid planting another susceptible tree in affected soil.
• Leaf scorch and poor establishment usually follow drought, waterlogging or deep planting: check soil moisture and drainage, and ensure the root flare is not buried.

Field maple is not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. This does not make its leaves, seeds or bark suitable food; do not confuse it with sycamore maple or red maple, which present serious poisoning risks to horses.

Where it spreads. Has escaped cultivation and can spread into woodland edges in parts of the northeastern and midwestern United States. Check local invasive-plant guidance before planting near natural areas.

• Norway maple (Acer platanoides)

  Has larger leaves with sharply pointed lobes and teeth. Field maple leaves are smaller, with rounded, blunt lobes; both species can release milky sap from broken leaf stalks.

• Sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus)

  Has larger, coarsely toothed leaves and hanging flower clusters. Field maple has smaller, blunt-lobed leaves and compact, upright flower clusters.

• Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum)

  Usually has three distinct, smooth-edged leaf lobes and leathery foliage. Field maple usually has five lobes, with the lower pair sometimes small, and softer leaves.

The Latin species name campestre means 'of the fields', reflecting its association with open countryside and field boundaries.

Propagation. Grow the species from seed sown outdoors in autumn; germination can be slow and may require more than one winter. Named cultivars are generally propagated by budding or grafting to preserve their characteristics.

Accepted botanical name

Acer campestre

In the US and Canada

Introduced in Canada and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain and Greece.

Measured

Soil pH 7 to 7.5. Average height 1425 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.