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Norway maple
Acer platanoides · Sapindaceae
📷 Dominicus Johannes Bergsma · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around norway maple and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- April to May, yellowish-green flowers
- Mature size
- Up to 20 m tall, 15 m spread
- Growth rate
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-25°C)
- Origin
- Central and Eastern Europe
- Soil type
- Deep, well-drained, fertile soil
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Acer platanoides adapts everywhere but prefers soil that isn't too dry. Fast and vigorous growth: no watering needed after 2-3 years in temperate regions.
The common mistake
Installing it in areas with repeated summer droughts without watering: it stays small and lacks vigor.
The pro's trick
Keep a wide mulched circle at the base for the first few years to speed up establishment.
Seasonal watch
September-October: the golden-yellow foliage is striking in dry climates; in very mild climates, the color may be less vibrant.
Care
Sunlight
The sycamore maple prefers full sun exposure for optimal development and beautiful autumn coloring. It tolerates partial shade, though growth will be slightly slower. Avoid overly shaded locations that reduce vigor.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage root establishment. Once established, sycamore maple is quite drought tolerant and requires minimal intervention, except during prolonged hot spells. Keep the soil moist without waterlogging.
Pruning and Structure
Prune in autumn or winter (outside freezing periods) to remove dead or crossing branches. Encourage attractive natural form by removing conflicting branching from early years. Keep pruning to the essentials, as this species heals slowly.
Soil and Drainage
Plant in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. Sycamore maple adapts to neutral to slightly acidic soils. Avoid compacted or waterlogged soil that promotes root decline.
Nutrition
No fertilizer is needed on fertile, well-prepared soil at planting. On poor soil, an application of organic matter (compost) at the base in spring will support growth.
Health and Pests
Sycamore maple is generally robust, but watch for scale insects and aphids that may appear in hot weather. Fungal diseases remain rare in healthy conditions. Ensure good air circulation around the tree to limit humidity-related issues.
Did you know?
Sycamore maple was once widely planted in avenues throughout European cities for its dense foliage and flamboyant autumn colors. Its name 'sycamore' comes from its resemblance to plane tree leaves, though they are botanically unrelated. In Scandinavia and Central Europe, this tree has become a true symbol of urban and rural 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
- Field mapleAcer campestre
- Marronnier dindeAesculus hippocastanum
- Box elderAcer negundo
- Silver mapleAcer saccharinum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.