Acer platanoides, or Norway maple, is non-native with a natural range of continental Europe and not recommended to plant as it spreads easily and dominates urban woodlots. Norway maple has previously been overplanted as a street tree in parts of Canada as it is highly adaptable, thriving in various environments and urban settings due to its tolerance of pollutants like sulfur dioxide and ozone. It does best when planted in moist well-drained soil, and kept from drying out. It has shallow roots that can damage pavements and is a prolific seed producer, leading to its invasion of forests and edges. It is advisable to prune in the late spring (June), as cutting may cause sap to leak from the wounds. While this can impact the tree's appearance, it does not harm the tree. Although this species has invasive tendencies, it is commonly found in nurseries due to its popularity in urban landscapes. Other suitable species to plant instead include the Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum and Acer saccharinum.
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Planting Site and Native Range
Planting Site
Residential, Wide Median, Restricted Urban Site
Management Notes
Management Notes
Known to naturalize or become invasive in certain regions Surface roots may heave sidewalks Prone to girdling roots Shallow roots and dense canopy pose challenges for growing grass underneath
Tree Characteristics
Growth Rate
Moderately (30cm- 60cm per year)
Width
11 - 15m
Height
12 - 15m
Soil Quantity
>30 m
Leaves
Deciduous
Insects and Diseases
Insects and Diseases
No serious or common issues in the urban environment. Verticillium wilt can be an issue, which can cause branch/ limb death and severe cases can cause tree mortality.