WSU Clark County Extension
PNW Plants Searchable, categorized images
              

Columnare Norway Maple

Scientific name: Acer platanoides ‘Columnare’
Taxonomy
Family:Aceraceae
Type:Deciduous tree
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:4 to 7
Sun:Full sun
Moisture:Dry
Plant Characteristics
Height:60 ft
Width:20 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:April
Bloom Color:Yellow
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Land managers looking for a very narrow shade tree will greatly enjoy the Columnar Norway Maple as it grows quickly to fill a confined space. In the city it would make an ideal selection in a narrow boulevard.

  Morphology:
This is deciduous shade tree which grows to 50’-60’ in height and 15’ to 20’ in width. Generally this cultivar of Norway Maple is comprised of a single central trunk with short lateral branches. The leaves are star-shaped and 4”-8” wide. The leaf veins are palmate. Leaves are arranged in an opposite fashion on the twigs.

During summer the leaves are dark green, while in the fall they turn a nice yellow to slight orange before being shed for the winter.

Flowers appear in early April. These give rise to the fruit which have 2 distinct lobes and are called samaras. These seed pods can spin well away from the parent tree and sprout in tilled soil.

  Adaptation:
Well adapted to most sites. Be careful planting any Norway maple near an aquatic area as they have been implicated as being invasive. Surface rooting is common. Young trees with tender bark can crack in the winter if a sunny day occurs after a cold spell.

  Pests:
None reported in the Pacific Northwest.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234