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Selecting Landscape Plants: Shade Trees
Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
Large trees
- Maximum height
70 feet
- Relative growth rate
Good
- Freedom from insect pests
Good
- Freedom from disease problems
Good
- Resistance to storm damage
Good
- Will grow on poorly drained soil
Poor
- Will grow in hot, dry areas
Poor
- Easy to transplant
Good
- Withstands city conditions
Good
As its name implies, the Norway maple is a native of Europe, but it has been
widely planted over the eastern United States. Most of the varieties of maple
with unusual shape or foliage color have been derived from this species. They
include such popular varieties as 'Schwedler,' which has purple leaves in early
spring that change to dark green color; 'Crimson King,' with purple leaves that
retain their color all summer; 'Columnare,' only one of several varieties with
a narrow columnar habit of growth; 'Globosum,' a low-growing, round-headed tree
that can be grown under utility wires; and 'Summershade,' a rapid-growing, heat-resistant
variety with an upright growing habit. Many other varieties of Norway maple have
been selected and named. Because a name does not appear in Table 1 does not mean
that it is not as good as the ones listed. Ask nursery personnel for advice on
the varieties not listed.
The dense shade and shallow root system make it almost impossible to grow
anything under a Norway maple. Its yellow flowers in early spring are interesting
but not especially ornamental. It certainly has merit for planting in areas
where you don't care if you can grow anything in its shade or not.
G6800, revised June 2008
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