1. Native / Non-native Status
Native to the UK and much of Europe. It is the UK’s only truly native maple species.
2. Evergreen / Deciduous
Deciduous – leaves fall in autumn.
3. Appearance
Leaves: Small (5–10 cm), 3–5 rounded lobes with blunt tips, unlike the sharper lobes of sycamore and Norway maple. Leaves turn rich yellow and sometimes red in autumn. Arranged opposite on twigs.
Bark: Pale brown and smooth when young, becoming fissured and corky with age.
Flowers/Fruit/Seeds: Small, yellow-green flowers appear in clusters in spring. Fruits are pairs of winged seeds (samaras) that spread wide apart, almost horizontal.
Overall shape: A small to medium tree with a rounded, bushy crown. Often grows as a hedgerow shrub but can form a fine specimen tree.
4. Typical Size
10–15 m tall; spread 6–10 m.
5. Habitat & Range
Common across England and Wales, less so in northern Scotland. Found in hedgerows, woodland edges, and farmland. Tolerates chalk, clay, and exposed sites, making it versatile.
6. Distinctive Features (ID tips)
Small, blunt-lobed leaves (unlike the larger, pointed lobes of sycamore).
Wide-spreading winged seeds at almost 180°.
Often found as a hedgerow tree.
7. Seasonal Changes
Spring: Yellow-green flowers open.
Summer: Small green lobed leaves give dense shade.
Autumn: Brilliant golden yellow foliage.
Winter: Bare crown with corky bark visible.
8. Human Uses
Timber is creamy white, hard, and fine-grained; used for musical instruments, furniture, and flooring.
Traditionally pollarded or coppiced for firewood and small timber.
Widely used in hedgerows and field boundaries.
9. Wildlife Value
Flowers attract bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators.
Seeds eaten by small mammals and birds.
Supports lichens and invertebrates, particularly in older hedgerows.
10. Fun Fact / Cultural Note
In medieval times, field maple was often used in hedgerow management and was linked to rural craft traditions.
Known for its resilience, it symbolised strength and endurance in folklore.
11. Planting & Care (Basic Instructions)
Best time to plant: Late autumn or early spring.
Soil: Very adaptable – grows on clay, loam, sand, and chalk; prefers well-drained but moist soils.
Light: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Watering: Water regularly for first 2–3 years; fairly drought-tolerant once mature.
Spacing: 4–6 m for hedgerow planting; 8–10 m for specimen trees.
Aftercare: Mulch to conserve moisture. Protect young trees from browsing. Responds well to coppicing and pollarding.
12. Good for Urban or Garden Setting?
Urban: Excellent choice – tolerant of pollution and compacted soils, often used as a street tree.
Garden: Very suitable for small to medium gardens; compact size, attractive foliage, and bright autumn colour.