Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is a large deciduous tree that can grow up to approximately 40-60 feet in height. They are tolerant of many different growing environments and have been a popular tree to plant on lawns and along streets because of their hardiness. Norway maples have very shallow roots and produce a great deal of shade which makes it difficult for grass and other plants to grow in the understory below. Additionally, they are prolific seed producers and are now invading forests and forest edges. The Norway maple is a large shade tree and looks similar to our native sugar maple. Native to Eurasia, it was introduced to the United States in the 1750’s. Q: Why are invasive plants a threat? Background | Origin | Habitat | Introduction and Spread | Impacts | Identification | Prevention and Control | Occurrences | New York Distribution Map. Entire trees look like giant yellow pom-poms. Norway maple (Acer platanoides) was introduced as a shade tree in Philadelphia by John Bartram, a botanist and horticulturist who got the seeds from London in 1756.. Acer platanoides (Norway Maple) is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States. Habitat. Trees are spread by seed. Where is known to be native, it grows best with high precipitation or an underground water supply at the base of a hill. It is a non-native popular landscape tree that can spread into native woodlands. Kudzu. The leaves of Norway maple closely resemble those of sugar maple, but the petioles exude a white sap when broken. Left to its own devices, it crowds out valuable species such as the sugar maple. As you know, the Norway maple species has become labeled as an invasive species in some parts of North America. Leaves. Introduced Species Summary Project: Norway maple (Acer platanoides). Invasive Vine Management Autumn Olive. Click on an acronym to view each weed list, or click here for a composite list of Weeds of the U.S. Norway maple (Acer platanoides) is a deciduous tree that typically grows 40 to 60 feet tall. During the summer, fruits mature into helicopter-like blades with wide-spreading wings. Norway maple (Acer platanoides) was introduced as a shade tree in Philadelphia by John Bartram, a botanist and horticulturist who got the seeds from London in 1756.. Norway Maple Scientific Name. The leaves are dark green, simple, opposite, 4”-7” wide with 5 lobes. Sold as a decorative plant. Norway Maple … Border privet. Appearance Acer platanoides is a tree that usually grows to 40-60 ft. (12-18 m) in height, but can reach heights of 100 ft. (30 m). Norway maple (Acer platanoides) provides breeding habitat for another highly invasive species, the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), an insect that threatens to significantly reduce North American hardwood forest stands. Norway maples are native to Europe and Western Asia. The mature tree has a … You may be familiar with the lobed shape of a maple leaf, but on closer inspection each of these seven species’ leaves look a little different. Description: Extremely shade-tolerant, canopy-height tree, often planted.Cultivars include "Crimson King" which has purple-red color. Leaves are usually wider than they are long with five distinct lobes. Further, Norway maples are also non-native invasive exotic trees that have escaped the urban environment and is a threat to native maples because of its sun-blocking foliage. Terrestrial invasives come in many forms including plants, animals, insects, fungi and diseases. A study by Cincotta et al. Grants & Funding Sources for Invasive Species Control; Invasive Species Frequently Asked Questions; Invasive Trees, Shrubs, Vines, and Herbaceous Plants; Prohibited Invasive Species Introduced Species Summary Project: Norway maple (Acer platanoides). It is considered an invasive species in some states because of … All rights reserved. ↑ Life Cycle Tar spot disease (Rhytisma acerinum), a disease specific to Norway maples and certain other maples (but not the sugar maple*), has been in North America since at least the year 2000 and has spread throughout most of eastern part of the continent, especially over the last 5 years. Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) Photo: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org . Norway maple is found on both the western and eastern sides of the United States. Others spread by sending out underground side stems that can … Young CWT, 1978. Plants escape into adjoining natural areas via wind dispersed seeds. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, 128(2):141-149; 46 ref. Once established, it will take over a site and form a dense thicket. As you know, the Norway maple species has become labeled as an invasive species in some parts of North America. Norway maple has one unfortunate characteristic: it releases chemicals underground that discourage anything else from growing underneath it, and this tends to cause bare muddy run-off conditions beneath the crown. Regulated species currently have legal restrictions under the Invasive Species Rule, Chapter NR 40. Leaf shape is useful to identify species including the non-native and invasive Norway maple. Habitat: Norway maple is frequently cultivated in urban and suburban environments. Norway maple is an invasive plant you should not put in landscapes, and for which there are several good alternatives. Review of risks should be undertaken before selecting these trees for planting sites. When these landscapes are unhealthy, all the benefits they provide to us are at risk. Most recently, the Invasive Species Act was developed to help reduce the spread of invasive species. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club, 123(3):197-205; 53 ref. Find Out More. The Bugwood Network and USDA Forest Service. Appearance Acer platanoides is a tree that usually grows to 40-60 ft. (12-18 m) in height, but can reach heights of 100 ft. (30 m). For this reason, Norway maple is recognized as invasive species in over 20 states in the Northeast and providences of Canada.