Norway Maple

Acer platanoides

Satellite view of icy fjords and mountains

A dense, hardy shade tree that creates excellent cooling canopy with its broad, dark green leaves and symmetrical growth habit. Known for thriving in urban environments where other trees struggle, it tolerates pollution, compacted soil, and challenging growing conditions. The Norway Maple's reliable performance and stunning yellow fall display have made it a go-to choice for street plantings and residential landscapes seeking dependable shade.

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

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Zones

3–7

USDA hardiness

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Height

40-50 feet

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Planting Timeline

Zone:

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Transplant

Showing dates for Norway Maple in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 shade-tree →

Zone Map

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Norway Maple · Zones 3–7

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Very easy

Spacing35-50 feet

SoilHighly adaptable, tolerates poor and compacted soils

pH6.0-7.5

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSpring and Summer

FlavorN/A

ColorDark green leaves, bright yellow fall color

SizeCanopy spread 35-45 feet

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Shallow Rocky. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed.

Harvesting

1.5"-2" long horizontally spreading wings mature September to October.

Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Samara. Length: 1-3 inches.

Harvest time: Fall

Storage & Preservation

Norway Maple trees do not require storage or preservation as they are permanent landscape plantings. However, seeds and cuttings should be kept cool and moist. Store seeds in a refrigerator at 32-40°F with humidity around 60-70% for stratification (2-3 months). Seeds can remain viable for 1-2 years when properly chilled and dried. Propagation methods include cold stratification of seeds, softwood cuttings in early summer, and hardwood cuttings in late fall rooted in moist medium under cool conditions.

History & Origin

Origin: Northeastern Europe

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Moths, Pollinators, Songbirds

Considerations

-High maintenance

Companion Plants

The shade-tolerant ground covers on this list — Hosta, Astilbe, Wild Ginger, Japanese Painted Fern, Ajuga, and Lamium — all share one quality that matters: they've adapted to dry, dim root zones, which is precisely what a Norway Maple's dense, plate-like root system produces by midsummer. In zone 7 Georgia, that canopy goes nearly opaque by June, and these plants hold soil without staging a water war at the 6-12 inch depth where the tree's feeder roots sit. Turf grass is the real loser in that competition — neither side wins, and you get a patchy, compacted mess. Azaleas fail for a related but separate reason: Rhododendrons need 4-6 hours of direct sun to set flower buds reliably, and a mature Norway Maple simply won't give them that.

Plant Together

Hosta

Thrives in the deep shade created by Norway maple canopy

Astilbe

Tolerates shade and competes well with shallow maple roots

Coral Bells

Shade-tolerant perennial that adds color under the dense canopy

Wild Ginger

Native groundcover that thrives in deep shade and moist conditions

Japanese Painted Fern

Shade-loving fern that tolerates dry conditions under the tree

Ajuga

Dense groundcover that suppresses weeds and tolerates root competition

Lamium

Shade-tolerant groundcover that handles dry soil conditions

Pachysandra

Evergreen groundcover that thrives in dense shade and poor soil

Keep Apart

Grass Lawn

Cannot compete with shallow roots and struggles in dense shade

Azaleas

Require acidic soil while maple creates alkaline conditions from leaf litter

Native Wildflowers

Outcompeted by aggressive shallow root system and allelopathic compounds

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Generally disease resistant, may develop tar spot in humid conditions

Common Pests

Aphids, scale insects, maple gall mites

Diseases

Tar spot, verticillium wilt, leaf scorch in extreme conditions

Troubleshooting Norway Maple

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Black or yellow blotches on upper leaf surface, with corresponding raised black spots on the underside, appearing mid-to-late summer

Likely Causes

Tar spot (Rhytisma acerinum) — a fungal disease that overwinters in fallen leaf litter and releases spores the following spring
Wet spring weather that promotes spore dispersal

What to Do

1.Rake and bag every fallen leaf in autumn — do not compost them, as the fungus survives standard compost piles
2.Know that tar spot is cosmetic; it won't kill a mature Norway Maple, so no fungicide is necessary in most cases
3.If the same tree defoliates early three years running, a certified arborist can apply a copper-based fungicide at bud break the following spring

Sticky residue on leaves, branches, or anything sitting under the canopy, sometimes followed by a gray-black sooty coating

Likely Causes

Aphid colonies (commonly Norway Maple aphid, Periphyllus lyropictus) feeding on new growth and excreting honeydew
Soft scale insects doing the same on woody stems

What to Do

1.Blast new growth with a strong jet of water from a hose — this knocks off aphids and most won't find their way back
2.For persistent scale on branches you can reach, scrub with a soft brush dipped in diluted neem oil (2 tablespoons per gallon of water)
3.Check for ant trails on the trunk; ants farm aphids and defend them from predators — wrap the trunk with a sticky barrier tape to break that relationship

Sudden branch dieback — leaves wilt, turn brown, and stay attached; dieback works down from one side of the canopy over a season or two

Likely Causes

Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae or V. albo-atrum) — a soil-borne fungus that colonizes the vascular system; a cross-section of affected wood will often show olive-brown streaking in the sapwood
Compacted or waterlogged soil that stresses roots and lowers the tree's ability to wall off infection

What to Do

1.Cut into a declining branch: streaked, discolored sapwood under the bark confirms Verticillium; call a certified arborist if you see it
2.Remove dead branches promptly and sterilize pruning tools with 70% isopropyl alcohol between every cut
3.There's no chemical cure once the fungus is established — focus on vigor: deep-water during drought and spread a 3-4 inch layer of wood-chip mulch across the entire root zone, keeping it 6 inches clear of the trunk flare

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant a Norway Maple tree?▼

Plant in early spring or fall when the tree is dormant. Spring planting (March-May) allows the tree to establish roots before summer heat, while fall planting (September-November) provides cooler conditions for root development. Fall planting is generally preferred as it allows a full dormant season for establishment. Avoid planting in extreme summer heat.

Is Norway Maple a good choice for beginners?▼

Yes, Norway Maple is excellent for beginners. It's extremely hardy and adaptable, tolerating poor soil, compaction, pollution, and urban stress that kill other trees. It requires minimal special care once established and performs reliably across various climates. Its only requirement is adequate space for its broad canopy and regular watering during the first growing season.

How long does a Norway Maple tree live?▼

Norway Maple trees typically live 100-150 years or longer in optimal conditions. Some specimens exceed 200 years. Lifespan depends on growing conditions, maintenance, pest/disease management, and climate. Trees in urban environments may have shorter lifespans due to stress, while those in ideal conditions with good care can thrive for multiple centuries.

Can Norway Maple grow in containers?▼

While Norway Maple can technically grow in large containers when young, it's not ideal long-term. Young trees (saplings) survive in containers for a few years, but mature trees require extensive root space that containers cannot provide. For permanent planting, in-ground placement is strongly recommended to allow full growth and canopy development.

Norway Maple vs Sugar Maple—which is better?▼

Norway Maple excels in urban, polluted, and poor soil conditions, making it more adaptable for cities. Sugar Maple is more aesthetically refined with superior fall color and is native to North America, preferred for natural landscapes. Choose Norway Maple for challenging urban sites; choose Sugar Maple for ideal conditions and native plant preferences.

How much shade does Norway Maple provide?▼

Norway Maple creates dense, complete shade with its broad, dark green leaves and dense branching habit. It provides excellent cooling and full coverage underneath, making it ideal for hot climates and shade-dependent landscaping. The dense canopy also suppresses weeds and reduces cooling costs, but may inhibit understory plant growth due to its heavy shade.