Common name: Field Maple
Scientific name: Acer campestre
Origin: Native to Switzerland
Summary: Pollution fighter, autumn stunner, syrup maker. The field maple is a sturdy broadleaf which supports caterpillars, aphids, and all their predators, all while resisting air pollution. The bark is light brown and flaky, and twigs are slender and brown and develop a corky bark with age. Small, grey leaf buds grow on long stems. Field maples can grow to 20 m and live for up to 350 years.
Leaves: Small, dark green and shiny, with five lobes and rounded teeth. They fade to a rich, golden yellow before falling in autumn. One of the best native trees for autumn colour.
Flowers: The flowers appear to be hermaphrodite, meaning that both male and female reproductive parts are contained within one flower. The flowers are small, yellow-green, cup-shaped and hang in clusters.
Fruits: After pollination by insects, flowers develop into large, winged fruits which are dispersed by wind.
Uses of field maple: Field maple produces the hardest, highest-density timber of all European maples. It is a warm, creamy-brown colour with a silky shine. Traditional uses include wood-turning and carving. Its wood is also popular for making musical instruments, particularly harps.
Text courtesy of the Woodland Trust