Norway Maple
ExploreTrees
Norway Maple
Acer platanoides
The Norway Maple has wide leaves and can grow very tall. It's a popular tree in parks and streets because of its shade!
Habitat: Urban areas and parks
Appearance
The Norway Maple has large, five-lobed leaves with pointed teeth, often a deep green that turns brilliant yellow in autumn. Its bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming furrowed with age, and it produces distinctive helicopter-like seeds.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusAcer
Category
TreesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
11
Interesting facts
Break a leaf stem and you'll see milky white sap, unlike most other maple trees!
Despite its name, it's widely planted around the world, far beyond Norway's borders!
Its seeds are often called 'helicopters' because they spin as they fall to the ground.
The wood of some maples can be used to make musical instruments, like violins!
Special abilities
Ability
Allelopathic Advantage
Norway Maple can release chemicals from its roots that inhibit the growth of nearby competing plants, helping it dominate habitats.
Ability
Shade Conqueror
Norway Maple has dense foliage that creates heavy shade, making it difficult for many other plant species to grow underneath its canopy.
Ability
Milky Sap Defense
Norway Maple has milky white sap that oozes when a leaf stalk is broken, which helps deter some herbivores and insect pests.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-30 m
- Canopy Spread
- 10-15 m
- Edible
- No
- Trunk Diameter
- 50-100 cm
- Lifespan
- 80-150 years
- Fruit Type
- Winged samara
- Growth Rate
- Medium
- Leaf Type
- Deciduous
Ecological connections
eats
Maple Aphid
Drepanosiphum platanoidis
Feeds on the sap from leaves.
symbiotic with
Bicolor Deceiver
Laccaria bicolor
Forms beneficial root associations for nutrient uptake.
pollinates
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits early spring flowers for nectar and pollen.
shelters
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Builds nests in branches and uses tree for refuge.
eats
Asian Longhorned Beetle
Anoplophora glabripennis
Larvae bore into wood, causing severe damage.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Invasive
Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.
Also known as
European MapleNorway Sycamore
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Norway Maple?
20-30 m
How wide does Norway Maple spread?
10-15 m
Is Norway Maple edible?
No
How big is Norway Maple?
50-100 cm
How long does Norway Maple live?
80-150 years
Where is Norway Maple usually found?
Urban areas and parks
What kind of fruit does Norway Maple produce?
Winged samara
How fast does Norway Maple grow?
Medium
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
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