6 named cultivars

tree

Norway Maple

Acer platanoides

The Story

Plant Bio

Acer platanoides, Norway maple, is a large deciduous tree native to northeastern Europe, reaching forty to fifty feet with a dense rounded crown. Its broad five-lobed leaves are up to seven inches across and closely resemble sugar maple, but the leaf stalks exude milky sap when broken — the reliable way to tell them apart. Autumn colour is an unremarkable yellow.

It is invasive across much of the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, seeding prolifically into woodland and displacing native maples — plant sugar or red maple instead, which give better autumn colour without the spread. Dense shade and shallow greedy roots also mean little grows beneath it, including lawn.

Uses & Benefits:

Dense uniform shade and a neat rounded crown, with yellow autumn colour.

Tolerates drought, heat, pollution and compacted urban soil.

Negative on balance in North America: it displaces native maples and suppresses woodland understorey.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

540 inches

Width

480 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Northeastern Europe

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Check local regulations first; planting is restricted in many areas.
If planting, choose a site well away from woodland.
Allow thirty to fifty feet of spread.
Water through the first two seasons.
Remove seedlings promptly wherever they appear.
Prune in late summer, not spring, when maples bleed.

Pro Tip

Consider a native maple instead — sugar or red maple gives better autumn colour without seeding into surrounding woodland.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Check local invasive-species rules before planting ⚠️
Remove volunteer seedlings each spring ✂️
Prune in late summer to avoid bleeding 🌳
Expect little to grow beneath it 🍂

Don't

Plant it near woodland or natural areas ❌
Expect grass to thrive under the canopy ❌
Confuse it with native sugar maple ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Urban street tree where permittedDense shade in a paved settingNot recommended near natural areas

Companion Plants

Sugar Maple Red Maple American Hornbeam Serviceberry Eastern Redbud

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Norway Maple questions

What zones can Norway Maple grow in?

Norway Maple is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Norway Maple deer resistant?

Yes — Norway Maple is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Norway Maple bloom?

Norway Maple typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Norway Maple need full sun?

Norway Maple does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Norway Maple drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Norway Maple handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.