Norway Maple
Acer platanoides
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.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
3–7
USDA hardiness
Height
40-50 feet
Planting Timeline
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
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
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: 'Crimson King'Red leaves, not well suite for the south 'Crimson Sentry' 'Globosum' 'Stand Fast' Green, leathery leaves, 'Crimson King', 'Crimson Sentry', 'Globosum', 'Stand Fast'. 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
Bloom time: Spring
History & Origin
Origin: Northeastern Europe
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Drought, Heat, Pollution
- +Attracts: Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in., Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.
- +Wildlife value: Members of the genus Acer support Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis) larvae which have one brood per season and appear from April-October in the south. Adult Imperial Moths do not feed.
Companion Plants
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