Norway Maple

Biological Name:

Norway-Maple – Acer platanoides

Natural Habitat:

Norway-Maple: This tree is native to Europe and Asia, and can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, hedgerows, and urban areas.

Description:

Norway-maple is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Aceraceae family which also includes plants such as maples and sycamores. Norway-maple is an annual or perennial plant that produces small yellow or white flowers and clusters of seeds. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas Norway-maple is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is a Norway maple a good tree?
A: Norway Maples have severe environmental impacts: They grow faster than native maples and other forest trees and its dense, shallow root system makes it difficult for native seedlings to get established. They create a dense shade, under which other species cannot survive, hence my naked garden beds.
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Q: What is the prettiest maple tree?
A: Coral Bark Japanese Maple. Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ Growing Zones 5-8. … Red Dragon Japanese Maple. Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Red Dragon’ … Autumn Blaze Maple. Acer x freemanii. … October Glory Maple. Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’ … Red Maple Tree. Acer rubrum. … Red Sunset Maple. Acer rubrum ‘Franksred’
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Q: Which is the best maple tree to buy?
A: Sugar Maples It’s definitely the top choice if you’re interested in harvesting your own sap. Sugar Maples also grow into large shade trees by reaching heights of 55 to 75 feet, with a spread of 30 to 50 feet.
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Q: What grows under a Norway maple?
A: Hostas, wild ginger, deadnettle (Lamium maculatum), variegated yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon ‘Variegatum’), and barrenwort (Epimedium) are just a few of the plants you could try. Use caution when planting these around established trees. Do NOT add soil around the tree.
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Q: Where are Norway maples invasive?
A: Norway maple has been reported to be invasive throughout the northeastern U.S. from Maine to Wisconsin, south to Tennessee and Virginia and also in the Pacific Northwest. Over time, as reforestation occurred across the Northeast, Norway maple joined native tree species as a component of eastern forest ecosystems.
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Q: Do Norway maples grow fast?
A: It is a long-lived and fast-growing tree, obtaining heights of 100 feet and living from 60 to 200 years. Both shade and pollution tolerant, this maple’s survival is almost assured.
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Q: How long does a Norway maple live?
A: Under ideal conditions in its native range, Norway maple may live up to 250 years, but often has a much shorter life expectancy in North America, sometimes only 60 years.
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Q: Is Norway maple Hardy?
A: Maple, Norway (Acer platanoides) Introduced in the 17th century, the handsome Norway maple is known for its hardy timber. Its leaves are a favourite with caterpillars and its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.
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Q: How much water does a Norway maple tree need?
A: Maple trees require around 11 gallons of water a week to stay healthy. Keep an eye out for wilting or leaf scorch (leaves browning and/or curling up), as this is a sign of drought stress.
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Q: Which is the fastest growing maple?
A: Red Maple. If you really want to speed up the process, the fastest growing maple tree is the red maple (Acer ribrum). Prized for its brilliant autumn coloration and ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats, the red maple is also known as the soft maple.
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Q: Are Norway maples invasive?
A: Norway maple is an invasive species. It is a non-native popular landscape tree that can spread into native woodlands. Norway maple invades woodlands by out-competing sugar maple due to its shade tolerance.
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Q: What problems do Norway maples cause?
A: Norway maple populations overwhelm sites by displacing native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous understory plants, and once established, creating a canopy of dense shade that prevents regeneration of native seedlings; it is also thought to release root toxins that inhibit or prevent the growth of other plants.
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Q: Can you grow grass under a Norway maple?
A: The dense canopy and the competition for water and nutrients make it difficult to grow grass under Norway maples. You have several options for improving the landscape. Spread a three inch layer of shredded bark or wood chips under the tree.
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Q: What eats Norway maple?
A: Also, as mentioned, its seeds can be eaten by birds and small mammals. In lean acorn years, squirrels and porcupines might also strip away the bark to gnaw on the cambium layer (provided there are no sugar or red maples nearby, both of which provide a tastier and more copious sap).
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Q: Do Norway maples have helicopters?
A: More commonly referred to as “helicopters,” “whirlers,” “twisters” or “whirligigs,” samaras are the winged seeds produced by maple trees. All maples produce samaras, but red, silver and Norway maples often produce the largest quantities.
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Q: Should I cut down my Norway maple?
A: A shade tree that could be removed is Norway maple. Its seeds fall onto the forest floor and dominate. Then the slower-maturing, more desirable species listed above can’t get a foothold. With that said, if a cultivated Norway maple is planted on your property and is doing well, don’t cut it down.
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Q: Do Norway maples have deep roots?
A: Norway maples have very shallow roots and produce a great deal of shade which makes it difficult for grass and other plants to grow in the understory below. Additionally, they are prolific seed producers and are now invading forests and forest edges.
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Q: Why is Norway maple considered invasive?
A: Ecological Threat. Norway maples form monocultures by displacing native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous understory plants in forested landscapes. Once established, it creates a canopy of dense shade that prevents regeneration of native seedlings.
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Q: What damage does the Norway maple do?
A: Norway maple should be planted at least 100 yards from natural areas. The dense canopy of Norway maple limits the growth of sugar maple and other native tree seedlings, reducing forest diversity. Wildflower diversity is reduced beneath Norway maple because the dense canopy reduces light levels.
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Q: What is Norway maple wood good for?
A: It is used for furniture, flooring and musical instruments. In fact, the Stradivarius violins are said to be made of Norway maple. Norway maple has been planted extensively in much of the northern half of the United States and has become a staple for city planting.
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Q: How long does a Norway maple tree live?
A: Under ideal conditions in its native range, Norway maple may live up to 250 years, but often has a much shorter life expectancy in North America, sometimes only 60 years.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.