Acer campestre

Acer campestre, the field maple, is a deciduous tree native to Europe and western Asia.

Characteristics
A medium sized tree usually 10-15 m tall, occasionally to 20 m, with a rounded to oval outline and a dense crown. The trunk is generally short, with dark grey to light brown bark that becomes fissured with age. The leaves are small and lobed, rounder and stubbier than those of other maples, dark green above and paler beneath, turning yellow or red in autumn. Inconspicuous yellow-green flowers appear in small pendulous clusters in spring before the leaves, followed by winged samaras that ripen in autumn.

Growing and care
Very adaptable: it grows in sun or partial shade and prefers moist, well drained soil, but also copes with clay and compacted ground, and is drought tolerant once established. Minimal care, with pruning only to shape it or remove damaged branches.

Uses
A garden and street tree valued for its dense foliage and compact habit, and one of the best natives for hedges, screens and urban plantings.