Features

Tree

Leaf

Blossom

Fruit

The Norway maple belongs to the soapberry family (Sapindaceae) and is one of the most popular native tree species for parks and gardens. In autumn it stands out with its colourful leaves and in early spring it draws attention with its yellow-green flower clusters. The flowers appear before the leaves and are often the first splashes of colour in tree stands.

In addition to its decorative properties, it is also appreciated for its resilience. Its native distribution extends as far north as central Sweden and southern Finland. Thus, the Norway maple is the European maple species whose range extends farthest north. The Norway maple is also versatile and mixable in forestry. With increasing summer dryness due to climate change, the Norway maple is increasingly used in forestry as it also grows at dry locations.

In urban tree populations, one can frequently observe entire stands with leaves covered in white spots. They are caused by "Uncinula tulasnei," a powdery mildew specifically affecting but not significantly harming the Norway maple.

The large, yellow flower clusters of the Norway maple are an important food source for insects. In spring, they provide abundant pollen and nectar long before other flowers, which is appreciated by early emerging wild bees, bumblebees and butterflies. In spring, honeybees collect a highly aromatic variety of honey in larger stands of Norway maple. Maple honey is amber-coloured, creamy, and has a slightly malty taste. Furthermore, the dense crowns of the Norway maple provide good nesting wood for many birds. Through its well-decomposing foliage, it also promotes the activity of soil organisms.

The wood of the Norway maple is two-coloured: The sapwood is yellowish and the heartwood reddish. The very dense and flexible wood is commonly used for knife handles, bows and musical instruments. Because of its coloration, the veneer is also sought after in furniture making.