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 20m and live for up to 350 years.
Look out for: new seeds which are tinged with pink and the wings on the seeds set in a straight line.
Identified in winter by: the older twigs which have corky ridges and small, grey leaf buds.
What does field maple look like?
Leaves
Small, dark green and shiny, with five lobes and rounded teeth. They fade to a rich, golden yellow before falling in autumn.
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.
Where to find field maple
The UK’s only native maple, it is found growing in woods, scrub and hedgerows, and on chalk lowland. It is widely planted in gardens and parks due to its compact habit, tolerance of pollution and rich autumn colours.
Value to wildlife
Field maple is attractive to aphids and their predators, including many species of ladybird, hoverfly and bird. Lots of species of moth, such as the mocha, feed on its leaves. The flowers provide nectar and pollen sources for bees and birds, and small mammals eat the fruits.
Mythology and symbolism
In parts of Europe, it was thought that maple branches hung around a doorway stopped bats entering. The herbalist Culpepper recommended maple leaves and bark to strengthen the liver.
Did you know?
In the Language of Flowers, maple represents the sender’s reservations.
As with all maple trees, the sap of the field maple can be used to make maple syrup.
Medieval superstition said that if you passed a maple branch over a child, it would remove all traces of witchcraft.
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.
Threats and conservation
Field maples can be affected by sycamore gall mite and can also be susceptible to a wilt caused by a soil-borne fungus.