Norway maple Acer platanoides
Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Sapindaceae family, native to Europe and western Asia. It grows 15–22 m (49–72 ft) tall and 12–16 m (39–52 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
Plan Norway maple in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Norway maple at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Mature height | 15–22 m (49–72 ft) |
| Mature spread | 12–16 m (39–52 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia |
| Invasive in | US (northeast, midwest and Pacific Northwest states), Canada (Ontario, British Columbia): check local rules before planting |
Is Norway maple toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not considered toxic to people; pet toxicity is not well documented (some maples are a horse hazard).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Norway maple
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Sugar maple: Maples share Verticillium wilt, a soil-borne fungus that persists for years; replanting a susceptible maple where an infected one died risks reinfection. Evidence B
Shared pests and diseases
- Verticillium wilt: Verticillium lives in soil for years; hosts planted together or in sequence build it up. Evidence B
Questions about Norway maple
- How far apart should I plant Norway maple?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 12–16 m (39–52 ft).
- Does Norway maple need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Norway maple need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Norway maple?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Norway maple flower?
- From about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Norway maple poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Not considered toxic to people; pet toxicity is not well documented (some maples are a horse hazard).
- What grows well with Norway maple?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Norway maple. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Invasive in parts of North America, where it displaces native understory; consider a native maple there.
- Dense shade and shallow roots make underplanting difficult.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Red maple Acer rubrum
- Lychee Litchi chinensis
- Longan Dimocarpus longan
- Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum
- Sugar maple Acer saccharum
- Field maple Acer campestre
- Horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum