Field Maple Tree Facts and Information

Field Maple Tree Facts and Information

Latin: Acer campestre

  • Native Words: Old Irish (), Scots Gaelic (), Old English (mapuldur), Welsh (masarnen lleiaf), Eastern Celtic ()
  • Ogham Sign:
  • Height When Mature: 6–12m (20–40ft)
  • Height After 10 Years: 5–6m (16–20ft)

Field Maple Leaves

Field Maple Botanical Description

A small British native, the Field Maple is often found in hedgerows and woodland edges. It prefers limestone, chalk, or calcareous soils but is widely planted as an amenity tree.

Its upright flower clusters appear alongside the leaves — a distinguishing feature (unlike sycamore’s hanging flowers). Leaves are small, with five blunt lobes, and turn golden in autumn.

The bark is rough, brown, corky, and ridged on mature trees. Interestingly, its outer branches can become ridged too — not just the trunk.

Field Maple produces winged seeds (samaras) that spin off in autumn. Unlike sycamore, they grow horizontally and in pairs. Winter buds are small and brown, distinct from sycamore’s green buds.

Field Maple Natural History and Ancient Wisdom

Before sycamore arrived in England, Field Maple wood was highly valued for carving items like bowls. It rarely appears in recorded history, but an early mention is found in a 901 AD charter for Hurstborne Priors, Hampshire, referencing “...the old maple tree.”

Occasional ancient pollarded specimens survive, such as at Hatfield Forest in Hertfordshire.

Field Maple Tree Sapling

Field Maple Place Names

  • Mablethorpe (Lincolnshire)
  • Mappleton (Derbyshire) – ‘settlement where maples grow’
  • Mappowder (Dorset) – ‘maple’
  • Mappleborough (Warwickshire) – ‘maple hill’

Field Maple Wildlife Rating

Field Maple is an excellent host for mosses and lichens, contributing to woodland biodiversity.

Field Maple Good Points / Bad Points

  • Well suited for hedging — clips neatly and retains structure.
  • Slow-growing after its initial years, which can be a benefit in smaller gardens.

Looking to Buy a Field Maple Tree?

Tree2mydoor specialises in meaningful tree gifts. While the native Field Maple isn’t currently stocked, we offer a beautiful collection of Japanese Maple Tree Gifts that bring striking colour to outdoor spaces.

Explore our range of native species in the Ancient Wisdom Trees collection. Any can be paired with our popular Tree Gift Packs — perfect for UK gardens.

Interested in eco-friendly business gifting? Email corporate@tree2mydoor.com to learn how we support corporate clients with bespoke, sustainable tree gift solutions.