Acer platanoides Stollii - Norway Maple

Acer platanoides 'Stollii' is a cultivar of the Norway Maple that can reach a height of 20m. The narrow crown is loose and conical. Its leaves have three lobes instead of the usual 5 to 7. They are strongly veined and curved inward. They are purple when they bud, then become dark green, and finally turn yellow-gold and red in autumn. This rare maple is not very demanding in terms of soil, as long as it is well-draining and deep enough to accommodate its powerful root system.

Originally from the Caucasus, widely spread in Europe from Scandinavia to Spain and as far east as Russia, Acer platanoides is a large deciduous tree that grows quickly and is often found alongside oak, lime, and elm in high-altitude forests. It can live up to 200 years. Acer platanoides 'Stollii', with its single trunk and upright, narrow, conical habit, can reach a height of up to 20m and a spread of 10m at maturity. Its foliage is deciduous. The leaves are opposite, palmate, 10 to 20cm long, with only 3 pointed lobes that curve inward. The leaves, carried by long petioles, are smooth and glossy. The flowering, in the form of corymbs of tiny yellow-green flowers, is particularly attractive to bees. It is followed, in June, by 3 to 5cm long, winged fruits called samaras. The bark of this tree is grey-brown, almost smooth, and marked with numerous shallow longitudinal cracks.

Acer platanoides 'Stollii' is an easy tree to grow, suitable for any type of soil as long as it is deep and not too wet. It is well-suited for urban environments and offers good resistance to harsh weather conditions. In large gardens or parks, it brings a slender, slightly loose silhouette and ornamental foliage, particularly when planted as a specimen tree in the middle of a lawn.

Tips: Prune every 3 to 5 years to balance the branches and maintain a harmonious shape.