Field Maple

Field Maple (Acer campestre) is the deciduous maple sized for a real Australian block, reaching about 8m tall and 6m wide rather than the 15m it manages in Europe. Small lobed leaves turn clear butter yellow in autumn, and the tree takes hard clipping well enough to be grown as a hedge. Non-invasive roots make it one of the safer choices near paving and services.

Why you'll love it

• Reliable autumn colour. The whole canopy turns soft yellow in one go, more dependable in Australian conditions than the red maples people usually reach for.
• It clips. Field Maple takes shears without sulking, so it works as a formal deciduous hedge as readily as a single tree.
• Roots that behave. It can be planted nearer a driveway, path or pipe run than most shade trees.
• Tough once established. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, wind tolerant and content in poor soil, so it does not need pampering.

Where it works best

Shade tree. Summer shade over a lawn or terrace, then bare branches in winter that let the sun back onto the house.

Hedging and screening. Plant 1m apart in a single row for a dense clipped hedge. Be clear about the trade off: the screen is solid from spring to autumn and open through winter.

Driveways and avenues. Matched trees at 6m to 8m centres give a formal run, and the non-invasive roots keep the surface intact.

Growing Field Maple in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, in cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens: Victoria, South Australia, southern Western Australia, the ACT and the cooler tablelands of New South Wales. Autumn colour is strongest where nights turn genuinely cold.

Soil. It accepts poor and shallow ground and a wide pH range, provided drainage is reasonable. Improve a wide area with compost rather than one deep hole, and mulch 75mm deep away from the trunk.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers, then only in dry spells. A complete fertiliser in early spring is enough for the year.

Pruning. Shape while dormant in winter, when the branch structure is visible. Hedges take a trim in early summer and again in late summer.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in four sizes: a 400mm pot, a 45L, a 100L and a 200L. The 400mm and 45L are young trees with a leader and light branching, suited to a hedge line. The 100L and 200L are advanced stock with real height and calliper, the choice for a driveway or a single feature.

Stock delivered through winter arrives bare of leaves, which is normal for a deciduous tree. Expect leaf and extension in the first spring after planting. Trees are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the full deciduous tree range
• See plants grown for autumn colour
• Trees with non-invasive roots
• Choosing between evergreen and deciduous trees

Common questions

How big does it actually get here?

Around 8m tall and 6m wide in an Australian garden, and 10m over a long life in ideal conditions. European figures of 15m reflect a cooler, wetter climate.

Will it grow in Brisbane or the tropics?

No. It needs a cool to warm temperate or Mediterranean climate, and in subtropical gardens it grows poorly and colours badly. Choose an evergreen shade tree instead.

When does it lose its leaves?

Leaves turn yellow through autumn and drop over several weeks, leaving the tree bare through winter. New growth breaks in early spring, so the bare period is roughly three months.