Southern Utah University

Table of Contents

Locations

  1. Campus Features

    1. Tree Tour

      1. Hedge maple (Acer campestre)

        Latin Name - Acer campestre
        Height - 30-35 feet
        Spread - 30-35 feet
        Growth Rate - Moderate
        USDA Zone - 5 to 8
        Drought Tolerance - Moderate

        This maple from Europe is used to form hedges and tall screens because of its dense, low-branching habit. Commercial nurseries usually sell it trained to a single trunk for use as slow-growing small to medium sized shade tree. Hedge maple is less popular than other maples because it grows slowly and lacks good fall color. This means, however, that the wood is quite strong and little pruning is required as it ages. Leaves of hedge maple are smaller than many maple species, with typical shape but rounded margins. Its samaras (seeds, "helicopters") grow horizontally, almost straight across from each other.