Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

Our range of Norway Maple bare root tree saplings (Acer platanoides)

We have Norway Maple bare root tree saplings in several sizes and specifications.  The 1+0 specification plants are seedlings (often called whips) which were sown from seed in spring and are sold during the following November to April months ie they are one year old. We have Norway Maple bare root whips in several heights.  These plants are grown by us in Herefordshire.

We also have cell grown Norway Maple trees which are grown by one of the UK's best specialist growers and these are ideal for forestry, woodland creation and amenity planting schemes.  Cell grown plants are available all year round.

You can read more about the various specifications we offer in each species on the tab just below our pricing table to the right of this product description.

Norway maple (Acer platanoides) Summary

These trees are very hardy, originating from Eastern and Central Europe (from Spain to Russia) and West Asia and as far north as Scandinavia (hence the name "Norway").

A tall trunk with grey/brown shallow grooved bark, holds a broad rounded crown.  The trees are not particularly long living (around 60 years) and the timber is not greatly prized but it is useful for flooring, woodturning and interestingly, for musical instruments and it is thought that the famous violin maker Stradivari used Norway maple for his instruments.

Leaves, flowers, fruit and bark

The flowers emerge before the leaves and are umbel like (technically called corymbs) of yellow and yellowish/green flowers.  The large (up to 5") leaves are the typical shape of acer/maple trees with 5 lobes, each with side teeth and a long (up to 7") leaf petiole which leaks a milky juice when broken (but not as sweet as the juice from a sugar maple tree).  The buds are shiny brown/red in colour. The autumn colour of Norway maples is typically a striking yellow colour but atypically can be orange/red.  The fruits are double samaras (winged fruits) up to 2" wide.

Soil and Situation

Norway maples do well in almost all situations, prefering some moisture level, good in poor soils and polluted areas.  They will tolerate drought conditions for shortish periods of time though there may be some leaf drop. They are relatively shallow rooted and need space for their roots to spread or they can tend to girdle.   They are often grown to provide shade and will themselves grow in partial shade or a sunny situation but not in deep shade.

Eventual height and growth rate

Norway maple trees become large trees up to 30 years, quite fast growing.

This section gives definitions on the specifications of plants that we sell.  We are specialists in field grown (or bare root) plants which are grown in two ways.  The majority are grown from seed, some are ready within one growing season (seedlings or 1+0's) and some species require two growing seasons (1u1's).  In addition to growing from seed we also grow from small plants or cuttings (transplants) which are much more widely spaced (taking more land, more irrigation water, fertilisers and labour).  There are only a handful of bare root wholesale nurseries in the UK and of those even fewer grow transplants but Ray Jenkins has many years' experience of transplanting so we grow these in large volumes.  Ray has written this blog about the benefits of bare root plants and how they are grown and another blog which gives further detail on bare root specifications.

The detailed specifications are shown below.  If you are in doubt about what specification to use please email us on enquiries@rjtreesandhedging.co.uk with a description of the project (and photos if appropriate) and we will advise you.

1+0 - field grown in one season from seed, known as a seedling (sometimes called a whip), generally a slender single stem plant.   These are the cheapest specification and are particularly suitable for planting where weed competition will be less intense, soil is shallow or on exposed windy sites.  Gives a high root to shoot ratio and minimal plant "check".

2+0 - a 2 year seedling, field grown from seed in the same seed bed in two growing seasons where the species cannot be grown to a saleable plant from seed in one season

1U1 - 2 year old plant called an undercut, field grown for two seasons in the same seed bed and undercut by machine (a sharp blade cutting the roots under the soil level) after the first year to develop the root structure. We do this with several species which take 2 years to develop (eg oak, beech, hornbeam)

1+1 - 2 year old plant (transplant) grown from seed in the first year and then transplanted into a different area of the field and spaced out for the second growing season - a robust plant with a larger and more robust root system than seedling or undercut plant which will enable it to better withstand drought and weed competition. Often the best choice and the staple norm for farm hedging and this specification is a requirement of the Countryside Stewardship Grant

1+2- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two growing seasons giving a tall, stocky, bushy plant

2+1- a 3 year old plant, two years field growing in the seedbed and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further growing season, giving a strong bushy plant

3+1 - as above but field grown for a further growing season for more height and a very bushy plant

1+3- 4 year old, one year field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for three years, giving a very strong, bushy plant

2+2- 4 year old, two years field growing in the seed beds and then transplanted (and spaced out) for a further two years - a very mature plant suited to certain species like beech and hornbeam where we can offer almost instant hedging

and some that are a bit different.....

P9 - a plant grown in a greenhouse or polytunnel in a 9cm pot (for holly which germinates poorly in the field)

Cell grown - a plant grown in small deep cells (like a small yogurt pot) and then lifted out of those for transportation. Commonly used in forestry and large hedging projects.  Very high quality plants with excellent success rate.  See our blog on the benefits of cell grown plants.

C+1 or C+2 - a 3 or 4 year old plant initally started as hardwood cuttings grown on for a year as cell grown plants and then lined out in fields to grow on for a further 1 or 2 years (a technique used for Cherry Laurel)

0/1 - a hardwood cutting, then field grown for one season (for example for white willow, black poplar and osier)