Field maple

Short Description

The field maple is a deciduous tree or shrub that can grow up to 20 m tall.

The leaves have long stalks and grow oppositely on the branch. They are generally rounded (blunt) with five lobes and a smooth margin. If the stalk is broken, a milky fluid (sap) is excreted.

The bark is grey-brown and with fine rectangular fissures. Larger branches often have cork ridges.

The yellow-green flowers are arranged in erect or pendulous panicles (flower heads). Flower stalks and perianth are hairy.

The schizocarp fruit consists of two winged nut fruits that are joined. Their wings are horizontally to each other.

In the city

Field maples can be found in parks and gardens or in tree-lined roads. They are also frequently used as hedging plants. Field maples prefer nutrient-rich wet to wet-dry sites. All maple trees produce numerous fruits so that the trees self-disseminate well in urban environments.