Norway Maple
Acer platanoides
Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 40–50 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Acer platanoides is prone to sunscald and leaf scorch in hot dry sites.
medium water40–50 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide
Photos
- Photo 1: "File:Spitz-Ahorn (Acer platanoides) 1.jpg" by Darkone (talk · contribs) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/.
- Photo 2: "Acer platanoides in autumn colors" by Włodzimierz Wysocki is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 3: "Acer platanoides 002" by Willow is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/.
- Photo 4: "Acer platanoides 001" by Willow is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/.
- Photo 5: "Acer-platanoides-blade" by Sten Porse is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 6: (c) Eugene Popov, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–7
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- low
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 40–50 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~40 ft of clearance
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Medium
What it looks like, and when
- Fall color
- Yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Salt ToleranceIt has low salt tolerance, so keep it back from de-iced sidewalks, roadsides, and softener runoff, where salt burns roots and leaf edges.
- Watch: Leaf ScorchIts leaf edges brown in hot, dry wind, so give it steady summer water and some shelter from the worst afternoon blast.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Aphids and honeydew
- Verticillium wilt on some species
- Leaf scorch in hot, dry, windy sites
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Norway Maple good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Norway Maple is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Norway Maple get?
- It matures to about 40–50 ft tall and 30–40 ft wide.
- How much room does Norway Maple need?
- Give Norway Maple about 40 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Norway Maple grow into?
- Norway Maple typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Norway Maple hardy on the Front Range?
- Norway Maple is hardy in USDA 3–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Norway Maple need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Norway Maple grow?
- Norway Maple is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Norway Maple live?
- Norway Maple has a moderate lifespan for a Front Range tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Norway Maple turn in fall?
- Norway Maple turns yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Norway Maple native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Norway Maple deer-resistant?
- No. Norway Maple is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Norway Maple prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Norway Maple can be affected by aphids and honeydew and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
