Norway Maple

Simple, green, palmately lobed leaves grow in opposite directions on the Norway maple. They are usually broader than they are high and wider than those of most other maple species. The leaves feature long pointed teeth on the edges and appear dull green from above and paler from below. In fall, the leaves turn pale yellow and drop from the tree.

Each spring, small yellow or greenish flowers form in clusters. The Norway maple is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers develop on different trees. The species reaches sexual maturity at around 20 years of age, and reproduction occurs within the months of April and May. The flowers are insect-pollinated, and following pollination, they produce fruits.

In summer, large quantities of these fruits, called samaras, mature with helicopter-like blades that enable the wind to carry the seed far from the mother tree. When these seeds drop, they spread to new areas and produce new trees, but due to the ample production of seeds, the species can rapidly expand, crowding out and overshading native species and negatively impacting native plant diversity. 

The Norway maple provides food for birds and rodents but also attracts fungi like Verticillium wilt. In addition, the trees can attract small, sap-sucking insects called aphids.

 *This resource is a product of Dr. Sara Wright’s Plant Diversity course in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department.