Habitat

• native to Europe and central Asia
• cultivated in Europe for centuries
• hardy to zone 5 (possibly zone 4)
• Special Note: This species has demonstrated an invasive tendency in Connecticut, meaning it may escape from cultivation and naturalize in minimally managed areas. For more information, .

Habit and Form

• deciduous
• medium to large tree, 40' to 60' tall or more
• upright spreading branches
• oval to rounded outline
• foliage and branching typically dense and compact
• texture is medium

Summer Foliage

• high quality
• opposite, 5-lobed with 2 basal lobes much smaller than the 3 primary lobes
• 3" to 6" across
• dark green above, greenish white on underside
• leathery with impressed veins
• coarsely toothed margins

Autumn Foliage

• generally poor
• yellowish or greenish brown

Flowers

• yellowish green, in May

Fruit

• samaras, 1.25" to 2"
• in pendulous clusters

Bark

• irregularly scaly, steel gray bark with orange color showing where bark flakes off

Culture

• easily transplanted and established
• very adaptable
• tolerates salt and seaside locations
• tolerates high pH, calcareous soils
• full sun best, can take light shade
• prefers cool environment; not for southern states
• tolerant of exposed areas

Landscape Uses

• shade tree for lawns of parks, campuses, public areas
• good choice for coastal areas
• good choice for alkaline soils

Liabilities

• cankers (nectria)
• aphids and sooty mold
• stem borers
• can develop considerable dead wood requiring removal
• twig kill can occur in cold winters

ID Features

• thick leathery leaves
• large, plump buds remain green in the winter which separates them from similar Acer platanoides buds which turn purplish

Propagation

• by seeds
• cultivars are bud grafted

Cultivars/Varieties

Variegated forms are common and grow well. 'Brilliantissimum' has leaves that unfurl pink and then progress to cream, yellow and finally green. 'Leopoldii' has leaves with yellow/pink and purple marbling. Other clones are known with white and green leaf markings. These forms are often grafted.

'Atropurpureum' (also known as 'Spaethii') - Features leaves that are dark green above and burgundy on the underside. Will come partially true from seed. Seems to be more prone to disease and insect problems than the species