Norway maple

Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) is a species of maple native to eastern and central Europe and western Asia, from France east to Russia, north to southern Scandinavia and southeast to northern Iran. It is a member of the Sapindaceae family.

Description

The Norway Maple is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20–30 m (66–98 ft) tall with a trunk up to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in diameter. The bark is grey-brown and shallowly grooved. Unlike many other maples, mature trees do not tend to develop a shaggy bark. The shoots are green at first, soon becoming pale brown. The buds are shiny red-brown.

Leaves

The leaves are opposite, palmately lobed with five lobes, 7–14 cm (2.8–5.5 in) long and 8–20 cm (3.1–7.9 in) across; the lobes each bear one to three side teeth, and an otherwise smooth margin. The leaf petiole is 8–20 cm (3.1–7.9 in) long, and secretes a milky juice when broken.

Flowers and fruit

The flowers are in corymbs of 15-30 together, yellow to yellow-green with five sepals and five petals 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) long; flowering occurs in early spring before the new leaves emerge. The fruit is a double samara with two winged seeds.

Cultivation and uses

The Norway Maple is widely grown throughout temperate regions as an ornamental tree for its form, shade, and hardiness. It is also used for timber and syrup production.

Environmental impact

In North America, the Norway Maple is considered invasive in many states. It outcompetes native species for light, moisture, and nutrients, and is often found in forests, forest edges, and fields.

See also

• List of Acer species
• Invasive species in the United States

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