Norway maple
Norway Maple or
Acer platanoides is a common
tree throughout much of
Europe. It has been widely introduced into
North America as a street tree and for its many unique
cultivars. The Norway maple is favoured also due to its tolerance of poor, compacted soils and
pollution. As a result of these characteristics, in parts of North America the Norway maple is displacing the native sugar maple and is widely considered invasive (and has been classified as such by authoritative sources in New England, New York, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Wisconson, Minnesota, and other places). Ironically the Norway maple itself is threatened by the
Asian long-horned beetle, which eats through the trunk of trees, often killing them.
The Norway maple can be recognised by its opposite, palmately lobed leaves. Certain cultivars are also characterized distinctive leaf coloration such as the deep red of
Crimson King or variegated leaves of
Emerald Queen.
The wood of the Norway maple has been used in Europe for furniture, flooring and
musical instruments. It is rumored that
Stradivarius used Norway maple for the backs of his noted instruments.
Leaves of the Norway Maple
Leaves are
palmate with angular notches between the lobes. Leaf stems secrete a milky juice when broken.
Bark of the Norway Maple
Bark is gray. In mature growth, the bark is grooved. Unlike many other varieties of the
maple family, mature trees do not tend to develop a shaggy bark.
Seeds of the Norway Maple
The seeds or fruit of the Norway maple consist of the paired keys typical of the maple family. The wings are widely spread, approaching a 180-degree angle.
The Norway maple typically produces a large quantity of viable seeds, a factor which contributes to its invasive character.
