Acer platanoides “Crimson King”

Norway Maple
Acer platanoides “Crimson King”
Type: Deciduous Tree
Exposure: Sun / Part Shade
Water: Regular

This European native has been widely used as a street tree and a shade tree in urban areas, thanks to it being easy to care for and pollution tolerant. It’s a medium grower that forms a dense oval crown that will reach 40ft (12m) high by up to 30ft (9m) wide. Purple and yellow flowers appear before the foliage in the spring, which produce 2″ purple samaras (maple seed ‘copters). The leaves are a dark purple on this cultivar (opposed to medium green otherwise), but the fall color seems to be variable; some sources say it’s “unremarkable,” while others say it’s shades of bronze and orange. Our candidate seems to be in the second group.

Please note that Norway Maple is considered invasive in some areas of New England. Definitely check with your favorite local nursery person to determine whether this is the case in your area.

Summer photo courtesy www.bauchery.fr
Flower photo courtesy www.binnyplants.com

Cheers,

John