Acer campestre

Planted: 1800

This tree is in the centre of the Philadelphus Walk, on the Edward Road fence.

Distribution:	Europe and W Asia, including the British Isles.
Planting Date:	Part of hedge forming the western boundary of the Arboretum which was planted circa 1800.
Growth Habit:	Medium sized tree often used in rustic hedges.
Bark:	Light brown and flaky developing a corky bark with age.
Leaf:	Small, dark and shiny, five lobes with rounded teeth. Turn clear yellow, sometimes flushed red in autumn.
Flowers:	Hermaphrodite, small, yellow-green, cup-shaped, hang in clusters.
Fruit:	Polination by insects, large green and red winged fruit.
Toxicity:	No effects reported.
Potential tree size:	20 m
Uses:	Hardest wood of the European maples. Traditionally used for wood turning and carving.
Plant Hunter:	Native
Introduction Date:	Native
Anecdotes and Comments:	Medieval superstition – passing a branch over a child would remove witchcraft. Long lived – up to 350 years. In North America it is known as Hedge Maple and in Australia, it is sometimes called Common Maple. In Nottinghamshire it was known locally as Dog Oak. Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit 1984.