Field maple
Acer campestre · Sapindaceae
📷 Willow · CC BY-SA 2.5
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around field maple and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to May, discreet yellow-green flowers
- Adult size
- 12 m in height, rounded and compact form
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Western and central Europe
- Soil type
- Alkaline, neutral, well-draining
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Field maple is undemanding. Plant it in well-drained soil, water young specimens during dry summers, then stick to light formative pruning.
The common mistake
Completely neglecting it in the first few years: a young tree planted in dry soil grows slowly and quickly shows heat stress.
The pro's trick
In February-March, do light maintenance pruning to open up the shape and remove fine branches that cross each other.
Care
Light exposure
Plant your field maple in full sun for vibrant foliage and a well-aerated structure. It also tolerates partial shade, though fall color will be less intense. Avoid windy locations that can weaken branches.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to promote root establishment. Once established, you can reduce watering as the tree tolerates moderate dry periods well. During prolonged drought, supplemental watering will benefit growth.
Soil and planting
Choose well-draining, neutral to alkaline soil. This maple adapts well to rocky or poor soils. When planting, enrich the planting hole with amendment and ensure the collar isn't buried.
Pruning and structure
Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain a harmonious shape and remove dead wood. Avoid drastic pruning that weakens the tree. Young plants benefit from gentle formative pruning.
Nutrition
Field maple is undemanding in nutrients. A balanced fertilizer application in spring is usually sufficient. In poor soil, adding compost at the base will support gradual nutrient uptake.
Pest and disease prevention
This maple is relatively resistant to major diseases. Watch for scale insects and psyllids in very dry climates. Good air circulation limits fungal risks. A well-nourished and properly watered tree offers better natural resistance.
Did you know?
Field maple is the tree par excellence for small spaces: in the Middle Ages, it was intentionally planted in the heart of villages to mark common lands and communal offerings. Its winged seeds (samaras) disperse by spinning like little helicopters, which is why its Latin name 'Acer' means 'sharp' or 'pointed.' Its beautiful autumn orange hue makes it a quiet treasure of European landscapes.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Japanese mapleAcer palmatum
- Sycamore mapleAcer pseudoplatanus
- Norway mapleAcer platanoides
- Marronnier dindeAesculus hippocastanum
- Box elderAcer negundo
- Silver mapleAcer saccharinum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.