Priory Gardens - Maple
Acer platanoides
The Norway Maple is native to eastern and central Europe and western Asia, and was introduced into the UK in the 17th century. It is a deciduous broadleaf tree and can grow to a majestic 30m with a trunk diameter of 60 to 90 cm. The bark is grey with fine ridges, and the twigs are slender and brown with tiny white spots.
This tree tolerates pollution well, its large leaves are similar to Sycamore, and enable it to be very effective at absorbing CO2. It has a dense canopy which can inhibit understorey growth. The slightly scented flowers are bright green, held in clusters and its winged seeds, which hang at a narrower angle than Sycamore are eaten by birds and small mammals.
The specimen in Priory Gardens is a good shape and hasn’t been cut back hard, yet, unlike the poor Horse Chestnut beside it.