Country Maple Tree History and Facts

The field maple, also known as (Acer campestre), is a deciduous tree native to Great Britain and surrounds wide areas of Europe.

It is a broadleaf tree and is the only maple native to the UK. It can be found growing in hedgerows, woods and thickets, as well as in calcareous lowlands.

The tree is commonly planted in parks and gardens for its beautiful fall colors and because it grows compactly and has a high tolerance for pollution.

Identifying a maple?

A fully mature tree will grow to about 20m tall and can live up to 350 years. The bark is flaky and light brown with thin brown twigs and develops cracks in the bark with age. The leaf buds are gray in color, small, and form on long stems. The small leaves have five segments with smooth teeth, which appear dark green and have a sheen.

Maple trees appear to have a hermaphroditic reproductive system, meaning that both male and female flowers contain reproductive parts within the same flower. Flowers can contain various male and female organs; they are small, U-shaped, green to yellow, and hang in clusters. The insects pollinate the flowers and turn into large winged fruits, these are blown away by the wind.

Interesting fact: the sap from maple trees can be used to make maple syrup.

importance to wildlife

The tree attracts aphids and a variety of their predators; some of these include birds, ladybugs, and hoverflies. The caterpillars of some species of moths eat the foliage of the tree, including the little yellow wave, the sycamore moth, and the maple pug. Birds and small mammals eat the tree’s fruits, while bees and other small insects use the flowers to collect pollen and nectar.

Myths and legends

While you won’t find many myths and legends associated with the field maple, there is an old saying in some parts of Europe that branches hanging over a doorway would prevent bats from entering your homes.

How We Use Field Maple

The wood of a field maple is one of the hardest known to man, it has a high density and is the hardest of all European maple woods. It has a silky, shiny surface and is brown to cream in color. We have used it to make musical instruments such as harps, but it was also used for turning and carving. Current uses include the fabrication of veneers, particularly as it polishes extremely well.

threats

Almost all trees can be affected by a number of tree pests and diseases. These threats can often cause leaf dieback, which is never good for them. They can be affected by sycamore gall mites and there is also a risk of wilting due to fungus growing at the base of the trunk.