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Norway Maple: Acer platanoides This tree is the most common tree in Salt Lake City and has been widely planted throughout the state. It is a deciduous tree that grows 35-50 ft high with a similar spread. It has dense foliage, broad crown and stout stems. The leaves are opposite, simple, 10-18 cm across, 5-lobed, lobes pointed, glossy dark green above, also glossy below often with hairs in axils of veins. Milky sap is observed when the petiole is removed. The fall color is usually an excellent yellow. Showy clusters of yellow or greenish-yellow flowers bloom in early spring, before leaves open with each flower about 8 mm diameter. Large fruit, glabrous, wings wide spreading giving the familiar helicopters that float down from the trees. The trees like full sun. They are easy to transplant and dapted to extremes in soils (sand, clay, acid, calcareous). Withstands hot dry conditions better than sugar maple. Tolerates pollution well. Shallow root system may compete with turf and lift sidewalks. The dense shade makes it difficult to grow turf underneath the trees. Over used in some areas. There are many cultivars, including some that have red or purple leaves only in spring (e.g., 'Deborah'), or throughout the summer (e.g., 'Crimson King'). Hardy to USDA Zone 4 Native to continental Europe.
